UEFA Euro 2024 Squad: A Deep Dive Inside Each and Every Team and Their Insane Squad Depth

Euro 2024, hosted by Germany, kicks off on June 14 and concludes on July 14. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:

• Group phase: June 14 to June 26
• Round of 16: June 29 to July 2
• Quarter-finals: July 5 to July 6
• Semi-finals: July 9 to July 10
• Final: July 14

Initially, only eight teams were invited to compete in 1988, but now the tournament features 24 teams divided into six groups. Following the group stage, group winners, runners-up, and the best four third-placed teams will progress to the round of 16. UEFA has reinstated the 23-man squad limit for participating countries, reverting from the 26-player allowance seen at Euro 2020 due to COVID regulations.

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Stadiums

1. Olympiastadion (Berlin)
2. Allianz Arena (Munich)
3. Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund)
4. MHPArena (Stuttgart)
5. Veltins-Arena (Gelsenkirchen)
6. Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt)
7. Volksparkstadion (Hamburg)
8. Merkur Spiel-Arena (Düsseldorf)
9. RheinEnergieStadion (Cologne)
10. Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)

Nine out of the ten venues selected for Euro 2024 were previously utilized during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf being the sole exception. Notably, Düsseldorf itself served as a host city for both the 1974 FIFA World Cup and Euro 1988.

The final match, set to take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, boasts a capacity of 74,461 spectators.

Inside Each and Every Euro 2024 Team and Their Insane Depth

UEFA has announced an increase in the maximum squad size for Euro 2024, from 23 to 26 players, with the final list due by 7 June. Here’s a recap of the squad depth of the favorites.

Germany 

Manager: Julian Nagelsmann
Top scorer in qualifying: Not Applicable
Best Euros finish: Winners (1972, 1980, 1996)

Germany has faced challenges in recent years since their triumph in the World Cup a decade ago. The departure of Jogi Low made way for Hansi Flick, whose tenure was brief and marked by difficulties. Supporters harbored doubts before Julian Nagelsmann took the helm, succeeding as the former head coach of Bayern Munich. Nagelsmann’s contract extends until the conclusion of Germany’s campaign, indicating a transitional phase ahead. Despite ongoing adjustments, Nagelsmann can count on a blend of experienced players and promising talents. One standout prospect is Jamal Musiala, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young talents in his age group.

France

Manager: Didier Deschamps
Top scorer in qualifying: Kylian Mbappé (9 goals)
Best Euros finish: Winners (1984, 2000)

Les Bleus, the reigning world champions, couldn’t retain their title in Qatar, falling to Lionel Messi’s team in a penalty shootout. Before Didier Deschamps took over as head coach, France struggled with internal discord due to too many competing voices. Deschamps has since fostered a new culture of success, boasting a wealth of talent at his disposal. Spearheading the team is the dynamic Kylian Mbappé, supported by a diverse cast including the evergreen Olivier Giroud.

Portugal

Manager: Roberto Martinez
Top scorer in qualifying: Cristiano Ronaldo (9 goals)
Best Euros finish: Winners (2016)

Cristiano Ronaldo, the age-defying football icon, shows no signs of slowing down as he continues his illustrious career. The record holder for international goals has pledged his commitment to representing Portugal in the upcoming tournament in Germany, following their successful qualification. Despite approaching 39 years of age by the start of the event, Ronaldo is expected to lead the charge for the 2016 champions. Under the guidance of Roberto Martinez, who previously led Belgium’s golden generation, Portugal is not solely reliant on Ronaldo’s prowess. The team boasts a plethora of talent, including familiar faces from the Premier League such as Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva, adding depth and quality to their lineup.

Belgium 

Manager: Domenico Tedesco
Top scorer in qualifying: Romelu Lukaku (9 goals)
Best Euros finish: Runners-up (1980)

Belgium has yet to hit its stride, experiencing quarter-final exits in both 2016 and 2020, along with a series of disappointing performances in recent World Cup campaigns. Under the guidance of Domenico Tedesco, the team will rely on the experience of veterans such as Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku. However, there’s also an influx of new talent, including Johan Bakayoko, Loïs Openda, and Jérémy Doku, who are poised to make their mark. Gone are the days when De Rode Duivels struggled to qualify for tournaments or missed out altogether, but they may not be considered heavy favorites this time around, which could work to their advantage.

Spain 

Manager: Luis de la Fuente
Top scorer in qualifying: Álvaro Morata (4 goals)
Best Euros finish: Winners (1964, 2008, 2012)

Spain’s once dominant era now feels like a distant memory, with the glory days of Xavi and Iniesta fading into the past. Despite their 2012 triumph, they suffered a round of 16 exit in 2016 and a semi-final defeat four years later. Luis Enrique’s possession-oriented tactics were exposed in Qatar, leading to his replacement by highly decorated youth international coach Luis de la Fuente. De la Fuente now oversees a Spanish side in transition. Rising talents like Barcelona’s Gavi and Pedri symbolize the new generation, while the presence of Manchester City’s Rodri in midfield adds crucial balance to La Roja’s play.

Scotland 

Manager: Steve Clarke
Top scorer in qualifying: Scott McTominay (6 goals)
Best Euros finish: Group Stage (1992, 1996, 2020)

Scottish fans once dreaded qualification processes, but now Scotland has secured back-to-back Euro appearances, with Scott McTominay playing a pivotal role. The Manchester United midfielder, often underutilized at club level, transforms into a standout performer when representing the Tartan Army. McTominay’s presence also benefits his talented teammates, with Billy Gilmour standing out as one of the most promising players in the squad.

Turkey 

Manager: Vincenzo Montella
Top scorers in qualifying: Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Cenk Tosun (2 goals each)
Best Euros finish: Semi-finals (2008)

Turkey experienced a surge in the 2000s, highlighted by a third-place finish at Euro 2008 and a bronze medal at the 2002 World Cup. However, they’ve encountered disappointment in recent years. Despite doubts surrounding the current team, their qualification signals progress. Nevertheless, their performance in the previous Euro tournament was lackluster, finishing with the worst record after losing all three group-stage matches, conceding eight goals while only managing to score once.

Key players such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Cenk Tosun will be eager to redeem themselves in the upcoming tournament. Additionally, Orkun Kökçü has emerged as a vital figure in midfield, adding depth and stability to the team.

England 

Manager: Gareth Southgate
Top scorer in qualifying: Harry Kane (5 goals)
Best Euros finish: Runners-up (2020)

England has moved on from the disappointments of 2008, with their qualification for Germany all but assured based on their current progress. While there are no doubts about the quality of footballers available to represent the Three Lions, questions linger over the manager, Gareth Southgate, particularly after a disappointing World Cup exit. Despite speculation that he might step down, Southgate remains at the helm, overseeing a squad with an abundance of talent in midfield and attack. Jude Bellingham has already made his mark, but at just 20 years old, he is yet to reach his full potential, which is a prospect that should worry England’s opponents.

Austria

Manager: Ralf Rangnick
Top scorer in qualifying: Michael Gregoritsch (4 goals)
Best Euros finish: Last-16 (2020)

Austria’s journey in the European Championship has seen significant improvement in recent years. After failing to qualify for the first 12 editions, they have now secured qualification for the last three consecutive tournaments. Their breakthrough came at Euro 2020, where they reached the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. Despite previous struggles in 2008 and 2016, Austria’s campaign was halted in the last-16 stage by eventual champions Italy in extra time at Wembley.

Now, under the guidance of former Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick, Austria aims to build on their past success and advance even further in Germany. They will rely on the experience of key players such as David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer, and Marko Arnautovic to lead the charge.

Denmark 

Manager: Kasper Hjulmand
Top scorer in qualifying: Rasmus Højlund (7 goals)
Best Euros finish: Winners (1992)

Denmark’s impressive run at Euro 2020 saw them reach the semi-final stage for the first time since their historic triumph in 1992, when they clinched the trophy for the first and only time. Just three years ago, they advanced past Wales and Czechia, but their journey was halted at Wembley by England in the semi-finals, with Harry Kane’s extra-time goal breaking Danish hearts after Mikkel Damsgaard had given them an early lead.

Manchester United star Rasmus Højlund, who emerged as Denmark’s top scorer in the qualifying rounds, will be eager to replicate his form and lead the Danes to glory once again in Germany.

Albania 

Manager: Sylvinho
Top scorer in qualifying: Nedim Bajrami (3 goals)
Best Euros finish: Group Stage (2016)

Albania is gearing up for their second appearance in the European Championship, aiming to surpass their previous group stage exit in 2016. Despite a challenging start with an opening day defeat to Poland, Albania turned their campaign around with an impressive run of four wins and two draws in their next six matches. This strong performance secured their qualification for Euro 2024 and included notable victories, such as a 2-0 win over Poland in a match where they kept a clean sheet. Now, under the guidance of manager Sylvinho, Albania looks to make history by advancing to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.

Slovakia 

Manager: Francesco Calzona
Top scorer in qualifying: Lukás Haraslín (3 goals)
Best Euros finish: Last-16 (2016)

Slovakia has shown consistent progress since their debut in 2016, qualifying for the finals in each of the last three editions. In their first appearance, they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Germany. However, their journey in 2020 ended in the group stages after finishing behind Spain and Sweden. Finishing as runners-up to Portugal in qualifying, Francesco Calzona brings a wealth of experience to the table for Slovakia. The team includes key players like PSG center-back Milan Skriniar, goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, and the legendary Marek Hamsík.

However, with Calzona simultaneously managing Napoli, questions arise regarding how this dual role might impact his preparations for the Euros.

Hungary 

Manager: Marco Rossi
Top scorer in qualifying: Barnabás Varga (4 goals)
Best Euros finish: Third place (1964)

Hungary’s history in the European Championship dates back to their impressive third-place finish in their debut appearance in 1964. They followed it up with a fourth-place finish eight years later, although the tournament format was notably different at the time. After a lengthy 44-year absence, Hungary made their return to the tournament in 2016, where they reached the round of 16. Despite topping their group unbeaten (with one win and two draws), they were eliminated by Belgium. In the last edition, Hungary faced tough competition in a group featuring France, Germany, and Portugal. Despite finishing bottom, they managed to avoid defeat in all but one match.

Netherlands

Manager: Ronald Koeman
Top scorer in qualifying: Wout Weghorst (3 goals)
Best Euros finish: Winners (1988)

The Netherlands seem to be returning to their former glory days. Despite missing out on a couple of tournaments during difficult periods, they have now qualified for three consecutive major tournaments and secured back-to-back appearances in the European Championships. In the previous edition, the Netherlands progressed to the knockout stages after a flawless performance in the group stage, only to be eliminated in the last 16 by the Czech Republic.

Under the guidance of Ronald Koeman, who has returned to the helm, the team boasts a wealth of talent. Frenkie de Jong stands out as one of the top midfielders in the world, while Xavi Simons is beginning to fulfill the potential that was once expected of him. The squad also features a plethora of reliable defenders, including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Romania

Manager: Edward Iordanescu
Top scorers in qualifying: Valentin Mihaila and Nicolae Stanciu (3 goals each)
Best Euros finish: Quarter-finals (2000)

Romania has successfully qualified for the European Championships after missing out in 2020. The journey to qualification was not without its challenges, particularly considering Romania’s disappointment at not being able to participate as co-hosts in the previous edition. However, they regrouped and secured their spot in this summer’s tournament with one game to spare. While they may not boast the iconic squad of the late 90s, Romania will be present and ready to compete.

Switzerland 

Manager: Murat Yakin
Top scorer in qualifying: Zeki Amdouni (6 goals)
Best Euros finish: Quarter-finals (2020)

The current generation of Swiss players has etched their names in history by achieving a remarkable feat: qualifying for three consecutive European Championships for the first time ever. After their debut in 1996, Switzerland missed out on the 2000 edition. They participated in the tournaments in 2004 and 2008, the latter as co-hosts, but then faced another absence before making consecutive appearances in 2016, 2020, and now 2024.

At Euro 2020, Switzerland enjoyed their most successful run in the European Championships to date, reaching the quarter-finals. Their journey included a thrilling comeback against France, coming from 3-1 down to force penalties and eventually securing victory. Despite falling to Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals, Switzerland’s performance left a lasting impression on the tournament.

Serbia 

Manager: Dragan Stojkovic
Top scorer in qualifying: Aleksandar Mitrovic (5 goals)
Best Euros finish: Runners-up (1960, 1968)

Serbia has a storied history at the European Championships, albeit as part of Yugoslavia. They achieved runners-up finishes in 1960 and 1968 and reached the quarter-finals as FR Yugoslavia in 2000 (prior to becoming Serbia and Montenegro). However, the upcoming tournament marks a significant milestone as Serbia will make its debut as an independent nation. They secured their place as group G runners-up, finishing three points clear of Montenegro, amusingly enough.

Czech Republic

Manager: Ivan Hasek
Top scorers in qualifying: Vaclav Cerny, Tomas Soucek (2 goals each)
Best Euros finish: Winners (1976)

The Czech Republic, inheriting the footballing legacy of Czechoslovakia, who triumphed in the 1976 European Championship, boasts a rich history in the tournament. As the Czech Republic, they have qualified for eight consecutive European Championships, with notable achievements including finishing as runners-up in 1996 and reaching the semi-finals in 2004. However, they have a peculiar pattern of following knockout stage runs with early exits in the group stage. After a quarter-final finish in the previous edition, could history repeat itself with another disappointing group stage exit?

Under the guidance of new manager Ivan Hasek, who replaced Jaroslav Silhavy following qualification, the Czech Republic aims to break this pattern. Silhavy resigned amidst criticism from fans, paving the way for Hasek to lead the team into the tournament.

Slovenia 

Manager: Matjaz Kek
Top scorer in qualifying: Benjamin Sesko (5 goals)
Best Euros finish: Group stage (2000)

Slovenia is set to make only their second appearance at the European Championships, 24 years after their tournament debut. Their previous outing at Euro 2000 saw them exit the group stage winless, with two draws and a defeat. Additionally, they have experienced two group stage exits at the World Cup since then. However, there’s a sense of optimism this time around as Slovenia won seven of their ten qualifying matches in a challenging group, indicating a potentially different outcome at the upcoming tournament.

Italy 

Manager: Luciano Spalletti
Top scorer in qualifying: Zeki Amdouni (6 goals)
Best Euros finish: Winners (1968, 2020)

Italy, the defending champions, faced a challenging journey in qualifying, narrowly securing their spot in the tournament. They clinched the top spot in their group ahead of third-placed Ukraine based on a better head-to-head record, following a goalless draw in their final game. The past few years have been challenging for the Italian team, but their struggles were overshadowed by their triumph two years ago. Italy’s victory over England in a penalty shootout at Wembley secured their second European Championship title. As they aim to defend their crown, the question remains: can they repeat their success?

Croatia 

Manager: Zlatko Dalić
Top scorer in qualifying: Andrej Kramarić (4 goals)
Best Euros finish: Quarter-finals (1996, 2008)

Croatia has garnered significant success at the World Cup level, including reaching the final in 2018 and winning bronze in the subsequent tournament. However, their performances at the European Championships have not matched those achievements, with their last participation seeing them exit at the round of 16 stage. As they prepare for the upcoming tournament in Germany, it’s likely to be the swansong for Luka Modric, who has been a stellar servant for the national team.

Georgia 

Manager: Willy Sagnol
Top scorer in qualifying: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (4 goals)
Best Euros finish: N/A

Under the guidance of Willy Sagnol, Georgia navigated through a challenging five-team Group A to secure a commendable fourth-place finish. Despite facing a crushing 7-1 defeat against Spain in their home match, Georgia managed to secure points against Scotland, Norway, and Cyprus. However, it was in the playoffs where the Crusaders made history by defeating Luxembourg and 2004 champions Greece, the latter victory coming through a penalty shootout. This historic win propelled Georgia to qualify for their first-ever major tournament as an independent nation.

Ukraine 

Manager: Serhiy Rebrov
Top scorer in qualifying: Viktor Tsygankov (3 goals)
Best Euros finish: Quarter-finals (2020)

Under the leadership of Serhiy Rebrov, the team narrowly missed out on securing the second spot in Group C, finishing behind England after a defeat to the holders, Italy. However, they secured their place in the fourth consecutive EURO tournament through the play-offs. Their qualification was sealed through two remarkable comebacks against Bosnia and Iceland.

Poland 

Manager: Michał Probierz
Top scorer in qualifying: Robert Lewandowski (3 goals)
Best Euros finish: Quarter-finals (2016)

Poland faced a challenging journey in Group D, finishing third behind Albania and the Czech Republic. Consequently, they had to navigate through the play-offs to secure their spot in the tournament for the fifth consecutive time. Poland emerged victorious in the play-offs, defeating Estonia and Wales. Led by their star player, Robert Lewandowski, they now look forward to competing in Germany.

Euro 2024 Group Stage Draw

Group A

1. Germany
2. Hungary
3. Scotland
4. Switzerland

Group B

1. Albania
2. Croatia
3. Italy
4. Spain

Group C

1. Denmark
2. England
3. Serbia
4. Slovenia

Group D

1. Austria
2. France
3. Netherlands
4. Poland

Group E

1. Belgium
2. Romania
3. Slovakia
4. Ukraine

Group F

1. Czech Republic
2. Portugal
3. Turkey
4. Georgia