Euro 2024 draw pots REVEALED: England will be top seeds for the group-stage draw… but must beware a giant lurking in ‘Pot 3’ as their dream and nightmare options become clear
- England will avoid some of Europe’s biggest nations as they go into Pot 1
- A potential ‘group of death’ though could see them face Italy and Netherlands
- Trent and Bellingham can play together but can’t get in each other’s way – IAKO
England’s reward for winning their European Championship qualifying group could be a tricky draw involving defending champions Italy and the Netherlands.
Gareth Southgate’s side have secured a spot in pot one ahead of the draw for next summer’s tournament in Germany, which will take place in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2.
It means they will avoid group-stage matches against the hosts, Portugal, France, Spain and Belgium.
There are some countries however who have qualified, but are yet to have their pot determined, due to matches taking place this evening.
Defending champions Italy could slip into pot four, if Croatia defeat Armenia at home, or if Zlatko Dalic’s side take a point and Wales fail to defeat Turkey.
England could face Italy yet again at Euro 2024 with Gareth Southgate’s side going into pot one while Italy will find out on Tuesday night if they will slot into the third of fourth pots
England will avoid some of Europe’s biggest nations in the group but could yet get a tricky draw
Italy could be one of the six lowest seeding nations despite being the defending champions
POTS FOR EURO 2024 DRAW
Pot 1
Germany (hosts), Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium and England
Pot 2
Hungary, Denmark, Albania, Austria
Pot 3
Scotland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and the Netherlands
Pot 4
Serbia, three play-off winners
To be decided
Italy – Pot 4 if Croatia beat Armenia or take a point. Pot 3 if Wales overtake Croatia
Turkey – Pot 2 if they win their group, Pot 3 if they finish behind Croatia
Romania and Switzerland – Group winner goes into Pot 2, whoever finishes second goes into Pot 4
Teams who could still yet automatically qualify
Croatia – Pot 2 if they win the group, Pot 3 if they finish second, or play-offs if they finish third
Wales – Pot 4 if they finish second in the group or play-offs if they finish third
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Italy could have secured a spot in pot three if they had defeated Ukraine on Monday, but a goalless draw means their placing is now out of their hands.
If they do drop into pot four, it means teams the highest seeded teams including England, could face a potential ‘Group of Death’ involving the Netherlands – who are in pot three – and Italy.
Pot two currently consists of Hungary, Denmark and Albania who won their respective qualifying groups, as well as Austria who finished just one point behind Belgium.
They will be joined by two teams out of Croatia, Turkey, Romania and Switzerland.
In Group D, whoever finishes higher out of Turkey and Croatia will go into pot two, while the other nation will go into pot three. However, if Croatia lose and Wales beat Turkey, then Rob Page’s side will go into pot four with Italy in pot three.
Meanwhile, Romania host Switzerland tonight, and whoever finishes top of group I will go into pot two with the other team going into pot four.
England could face Scotland in a rematch from Euro 2020, with Steve Clarke’s side in pot three alongside Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
England could face Scotland in a rematch from Euro 2020 with Steve Clarke’s side in pot three
The Netherlands will be the team that teams currently want to avoid from the third pot
Wales would slot into the lowest seeded pot if they are able to overtake Croatia and automatically qualify on Tuesday evening
Serbia are the only country currently confirmed for pot four, though they will be joined by the three others who qualify via the play-offs, and two nations who will join them tonight.
Nations who have already qualified for the play-offs include Georgia, Greece, Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Israel, Luxembourg, Iceland and Bosnia.
Some of those nations qualified for the play-offs thanks to their Nations League campaigns, with Estonia making the cut despite only taking one point from eight games in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.
They will be joined in the play-offs by whoever finishes in third in Group D out of Croatia and Wales.
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