UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying

UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying
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The UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying tournament is an upcoming football competition that will determine the 24 UEFA member men's national teams in the UEFA Euro 2028 final tournament. The competition will be linked with the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, giving countries a secondary route to qualify for the final tournament.[1]

Up to 55 UEFA member associations may enter the qualifying process.

Teams

All 55 UEFA member associations are eligible to compete in the qualifying competition, including the four host nations.[1]

Russia were suspended from UEFA competition on 28 February 2022 due to their country's invasion of Ukraine.[2] However, no decision has yet been made on how this will affect their participation in UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying.

Format

The national teams will be divided into twelve groups, with each group containing four or five teams. The group stage draw is expected to take place following the conclusion of the league phase of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League. The qualifying group stage will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format in 2027. Twenty teams will qualify directly for the final tournament: the twelve group winners, along with the eight best-ranked runners-up.[1]

The host nations—England, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales—will participate in the qualifying group stage but will be drawn into separate groups. Two spots in the final tournament are reserved for the two best-ranked host nations (based on the overall qualifying group stage rankings) that fail to qualify as group winners or among the eight best runners-up.[1]

The remaining spots (between two and four, depending on host nation qualification) will be determined through play-offs in March 2028. The play-offs will include the remaining runners-up from the qualifying groups (between two and four, depending on whether hosts are amongst these teams) and the best-ranked non-qualified group winners from the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League. The play-off structure depends on the number of host nation slots used:[1]

  • If both reserved host nation slots are used: Eight teams (between four and six via the Nations League) compete in two play-off paths, each with single-leg semi-finals and a final, for two final tournament spots.
  • If one reserved host nation slot is used: Twelve teams (eight or nine via the Nations League) compete in three play-off paths, each with single-leg semi-finals and a final, for three final tournament spots.
  • If no reserved host nation slots are used: Eight teams (four via the Nations League) contest four home-and-away play-off ties, with the winners qualifying for the final tournament.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "UEFA Euro 2028 qualification system approved". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  2. ^ "FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
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