Euro 2024 play-off fixtures, dates, teams and how it all works

Euro 2024 is creeping up on the horizon (Picture: Getty)

This summer’s Euro 2024 will see 24 of the finest teams on the continent contest UEFA’s showpiece tournament for the right to call themselves Champions of Europe.

However, only 21 countries are guaranteed a spot at the competition, which kicks-off in Germany on June 14.

The remaining three places will be determined by the play-offs, which offers 12 teams who failed to secure their place via the conventional qualifying round the opportunity to still feature at the finals later this year.

And amongst the sides to have been thrown a Euro 2024 lifeline is Wales, who finished third in their qualifying group behind Turkey and Croatia.

Rob Page’s men will be looking to compete in their third successive European Championships, joining already-qualified Scotland and much-fancied England.

How were the teams selected for the Euro 2024 play-offs?

The teams were selected based on their performances in the 2022/23 Nations League.

Wales could still make it to Germany (Picture: Getty)

Nominally, this would be the group winners of Leagues A, B and C, but in the event that they had already secured their place at Euro 2024 though the qualifying stage, their play-off spot was given to the next best-ranked team in their league.

If less than four teams from the same league entered the play-offs – which is what happened with League A, then the first available spot was handed to the highest-ranked group winner of League D, which was Estonia.

The remaining places were allocated based on the best-ranked Nations League teams that had not already qualified.

This, however, was subject to the restriction that group winners of Leagues A, B and C cannot be placed in a play-off path with a nation from a higher league.

UEFA has come in for some criticism over the format, with Norway, Sweden and Montenegro missing out despite finishing third in their qualifying groups, whilst Estonia finished bottom of theirs yet will still be part of the play-offs.

Which teams are involved in the Euro 2024 play-offs?

How do the Euro 2024 play-offs work?

The 12 teams have been placed in three pathways; A, B and C.

Each pathway consists of four teams, which will include two one-legged semi-finals and a final.

The winners of the three finals will then qualify for Euro 2024.

In the semi-finals, the top-ranked team will be at home to the fourth-ranked side, and the second-ranked teams will have home advantage over the third-ranked nations.

The hosts for the three finals were determined in November’s draw.

Euro 2024 play-off fixtures and dates

The play-offs will take place during March’s international break.

The semi-finals will be held on Thursday, March 21, with the finals scheduled for Tuesday, March 26.

MORE : The ten Euro 2024 stadiums which will host games in Germany this summer

MORE : England Euro 2024 power rankings – all the ups and downs in the Three Lions squad battle

MORE : Seven uncapped England players who could force their way into Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.