England know the challenge that awaits them at Euro 2024 if they want to become champions of Europe this summer.
Gareth Southgate‘s side have been drawn in Group C alongside Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia with their opening fixture being against the Serbs this Sunday.
The Three Lions came agonisingly close to going all the way at Euro 2020 as they were pipped to the post in a penalty shootout against Italy at Wembley Stadium.
But with England’s star players boasting more top-level experience together, they’ll be hoping to finish the job this time around.
Including England’s three group stage fixtures, they’ll need to come through a total of seven fixtures in Germany if they’re to claim Euro 2024 glory.
However, in doing so, Southgate’s side will have to overcome the challenge of Europe’s top footballing nations.
Here are details of England’s fixtures (and potential fixtures) in full, with all kick-off times to be confirmed unless otherwise stated, along with predicted results…
Euro 2024 Group C
Sunday, June 16
Thursday, June 20
- Matchday Two: Denmark vs England (5pm) – Waldstadion, Frankfurt
Tuesday, June 25
- Matchday Three: England vs Slovenia (8pm) – RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
5
If England top the group
England should have a straight-forward tie in the Round of 16 before the big guns await.
Germany, Spain or Italy would likely come next in the quarters before France or Belgium in the final four.
A final against Portugal could then decide who wins the trophy.
Round of 16: June 30 – England vs Third-placed team from Group D, E or F (5pm)
Quarter-finals: July 6 – England vs Runner-up of Group A or runner-up of Group B (8pm)
Semi-finals: July 10 – England vs Winner of third quarter-final (8pm)
Final: July 14 – England vs Winner of first semi-final (8pm)
5
If England finish runner-up in their group
Should England not top the group and come second, a daunting tie against Germany would likely headline the Round of 16.
From there, Spain, Italy or Croatia would come next in the last-8 before Portugal or Netherlands in the semi-finals.
England can then expect to face France in the final if they make it.
Round of 16: June 29 – England vs Winner of Group A (8pm)
Quarter-finals: July 5 – England vs Winner of third R16 match (5pm)
Semi-finals: July 9 – England vs Winner of second quarter-final (8pm)
Final: July 14 – England vs Winner of second semi-final (8pm)
5
Predicting England’s Euro 2024
England fans are renowned for getting carried away, so the most objective method of predicting the Three Lions’ fortunes is based on FIFA’s latest world rankings.
With Southgate’s men currently ranked fourth in the world, they should have little trouble manoeuvring past Serbia (33rd), Denmark (21st) and Slovenia (57th) to top Group C.
Thereafter it gets messy, but essentially if the fourth best third-placed team comes from Groups A, B, C or D, then they would be England’s first knockout round opponent.
Based on this logic, England would face Austria, ranked 25th, in the Round of 16, after their third-placed finish in Group D qualifies them for the knockouts.
That then takes us into the quarter-finals where England would square off against a familiar foe in Italy in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final.
The rankings are on England’s side again here, with Italy sitting four slots lower in the pecking order in ninth.
We then progress to the dreaded semis where the worst happens: England meet world number two France and are eliminated on Les Bleus’ route to another international victory in the final vs. the Netherlands (7th).
5
So there you have it, another magnificent failure from England.
And while there’s no shame in losing in the semis to the eventual winners, it’s unlikely to appease the fans who ostensibly will accept nothing less than Southgate guiding Kane and co. to the trophy.
If England finish third in their group their fixtures won’t be decided until after the group stage is settled.