The Champions League is all wrapped up, so it’s time for European football to switch focus from the club to the international game.
Euro 2024 is taking place in Germany between June 14 and July 14 and comes just three years since the last European Championship, which is still officially referred to as Euro 2020, but was delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Italy were victorious over England in that July 2021 final at London’s Wembley Stadium, but can Gareth Southgate’s side go one better this year? Or could the holders retain their title?
Host nation Germany head into the tournament on the back of a much-needed upturn in form, while 2022 World Cup runners-up France, who have twice won the Euros, are again among the favourites — as you would expect of a side featuring Kylian Mbappe.
With 24 teams taking part, there will be some of the world’s best players on show and we have taken a close look at each nation’s squad and analysed their strengths and weaknesses. We’ve also profiled some potential breakthrough players to watch out for.
So see below for our profiles of each country, kicking off with Group A. Then head back here each day this week as we preview the other five groups.
How to follow the European Championship on The Athletic…
Group A
Germany
Scotland
Switzerland
Hungary
(Top photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)