Another summer filled with international tournament drama will soon be upon us.
While club football continues to edge towards closed-shop status, the international stage allows the hopes and dreams of underdogs to manifest once more. Greece and Portugal are unlikely winners of the Euros in the 21st century, while Morocco’s success at the 2022 World Cup shows unfancied nations can still shock the best on the planet.
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All 24 nations competing in Germany next summer will harbour dreams of glory. Here’s how 90min ranks the nine teams that have qualified for Euro 2024 so far based on how likely they are to win the tournament.
Euro 2020 was pretty disastrous for Scotland, who ended their campaign having secured a point against England but only scoring one goal. They finished bottom of their group having been beaten by Czechia and Croatia.
However, following a brilliant qualifying campaign which included a memorable triumph over Spain at Hampden Park, Scottish supporters will be hopeful of an improved showing at Euro 2024.
Scotland will not win next summer’s tournament, but they may well spring a surprise or two.
Austria have been blessed with their most talented crop of players for generations, but they’ve constantly underperformed.
However, the national team has been invigorated by the appointment of Ralf Rangnick who, after a difficult start to his reign, has overseen Austria’s progression into Euro 2024. Rangnick has done an excellent job of building a connection with supporters and national team interest will doubtlessly peak during the tournament.
The ideals typically associated with the German have evolved Austria from a dull, insipid unit under Franco Foda into an exuberant one.
After failing to deliver on the big international stage at the last two Euros, Austria are well-placed to land a killer blow or two in Germany.
Turkey were the unanimous dark horses heading into Euro 2020 but their campaign was an unmitigated disaster. They finished bottom of Group A having lost all three of their games.
Nevertheless, that won’t stop them garnering more dark horse tags ahead of next summer’s tournament. Turkey are playing some wonderful stuff under Vincenzo Montella and, given their sprinkling of stellar young talent, they may well enjoy a campaign similar to 2008 as opposed to 2020 next summer.
Many foreshadowed Belgium’s demise at the 2022 World Cup which brought an end to Roberto Martinez’s tenure.
While some of the ‘golden generation’ remain, Domenico Tedesco is trying to lead the Red Devils into an exciting new era. The early results have been promising, but success in Germany next summer is probably beyond them.
Tedesco will be hoping for a quarter-final berth.
Spain shook off their defeat in Glasgow to qualify for Euro 2024 as the top dogs in Group A.
They were excellent at Euro 2020 under Luis Enrique and were unfortunate to succumb on penalties in the last four. However, a disappointing World Cup campaign saw Enrique leave his post and Luis de la Fuente will instead lead La Furia Roja into battle next summer.
Spain have the capacity to dominate and manipulate opponents, but their ability in both boxes could let them down when crunch time comes.
Germany were very fortunate their status as hosts made sure of their qualification. 2023 has been nothing short of a disaster for Die Mannschaft after underwhelming in Qatar.
However, Germany have since moved on and are hoping for greater prosperity with Julian Nagelsmann at the helm. The former Bayern Munich coach has a mightily talented cohort of players in midfield and wide areas and they’ll undoubtedly be galvanised by their home support, but they lack the number nine and quality in defence to win a major tournament.
From a talent perspective, Portugal can compete against anyone in the world. Their squad is laden with stars across the board and they’ll enter Euro 2024 as one of the favourites.
However, there are concerns over whether Fernando Santos can lead them to silverware once again following their unlikely success at Euro 2016. This Portugal side has been compromised by Santos’ antiquated ideals at the two most recent major tournaments.
England could head to a major tournament as the favourites for the first time in, well, forever.
The Three Lions have re-emerged as a legitimate force following years of underachievement, with Gareth Southgate’s caution ensuring they’re well-built to win tournament matches. This is an England side that’s now so familiar with one another and the group Southgate’s cultivated is more than capable of going all the way in Germany.
However, this England outfit are yet to get it done when it matters most, and until they do, they can’t be considered the ultimate favourites.
The 2018 World Cup winners came within a penalty shootout of going back-to-back in Qatar. While their Euro 2020 campaign was compromised by disharmony, Didier Deschamps, like Southgate, now has a squad that simply loves playing with one another.
France stormed through qualifying and look like a nation on a mission to claim their first European title since 2000 next summer.
They’re blessed with arguably the world’s best in Kylian Mbappe, while Deschamps’ knack for getting it right on the big night shouldn’t be overlooked.
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