Qualifying for Euro 2024 is just around the corner (Photo: JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)

During the qualifying phase for Euro 2024, teams from all over Europe will compete for a place in next year’s UEFA flagship tournament.

In the competition, which will be held in Germany from June 14 to July 14 this summer, 24 teams will compete for the honour.

But with England in the same group as holders Italy there is a very real chance that Gareth Southgate and the Three Lions will finish second, while countries like Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland could also finish second in their league. Groups.

Do the second place teams automatically qualify for Euro 2024? Here’s everything you need to know.

Who automatically qualifies for Euro 2024?

A total of 53 teams are taking part in qualifying for Euro 2024, with teams divided into seven groups of five and three groups of six.

In fact, the teams that finish first and second in their pool automatically qualify for Euro 2024.

A top 2 finish is enough for England to qualify (Photo: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

In addition to Germany, which automatically qualified as the host country, 20 teams qualify directly for the tournament itself.

The remaining three places at Euro 2024 will be determined by a play-off system, with 12 teams selected based on their performance in the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League.

Nominally these are the group winners of Leagues A, B and C, but if they have already qualified their playoff spot will be taken by the next highest ranked nation in their Nations League group.

If there are not enough non-qualified teams in the same league, it will filter down to the division below – to Division D.

England and Wales were relegated to League A from their Nations League groups, Scotland topped the League B group while Northern Ireland finished third in the League C group.

If two or more teams qualify for Euro 2024 with the same number of points, the first tie-break separating the teams will be goal difference, followed by the number of goals scored.

When are the qualifications and play-offs?

The qualifying phase of Euro 2024 will take place between March 2023 and November 2023, with the play-offs scheduled for March 2024.

During the playoffs, the 12 teams are divided into three different sections, each with four countries.

Each stage includes two semi-finals and one final, with the three winning teams qualifying for Euro 2024 in the final.