Twelve groups of four or five teams. The four host countries will also take part (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland)
The UEFA Executive Committee, meeting in Bilbao before the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United, confirmed The qualifying criteria for the European Championships of 2028which will be held in nine cities of Great Britain and Ireland with 24 participating teams.
The qualification format for Euro 2028
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As in the current qualifications, there will be 12 groups composed of Four or five national teams. They will participate also the host countries of the final phase (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales), which will be drawn in separate groups. The first classified of each grouping e The eight best seconds They will access the final phase of the tournament directly, for a total of 20 teams. Two seats further will be reserved for two better placed nations placed, In the event that these have not arrived among the first or best seconds of their respective groups. The last two slots remaining for the final phase of the tournament will come assigned via playoffs Among the second classified of the qualifying groups and the winners of the groups of the Nations League 2026-27 with the best ranking but unqualified. Depending on the number of places occupied by the host nations not qualified among the first classified or the best seconds, the free slots for the final phase of the tournament decided on the play -offs can be between two and four. Finally, for the next European Championships they will be distributed 240 million euros In accordance with the memorandum of understanding between UEFA and ECA.