England could face a group of death in Euro 2024 despite securing a position in Pot 1.
The Three Lions were dragged into a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia on Monday, November 20, during their last Euro 2024 qualification match.
However, the points they’ve previously gathered were enough for them to secure a spot in next year’s tournament in Germany.
The 2020 European runner-up could face a tough test in Euro 2024 as they join the host nation, Germany and other four countries – Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium – in Pot 1.
It means Gareth Southgate’s men will resist group-stage games against the hosts, Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium.
The draw will take place in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, and there is still a large likeness in the quality of the group England could be handed.
England’s compensation for winning their Euro 2024 qualifying group could be a complicated draw entangling the Netherlands and defending champions Italy.
Italy were spotted in pot four after Croatia beat Armenia at their home stadium, while Wales drew with Turkey on Tuesday night, November 21, and went straight to the playoffs.
Below are the Euro 2024 draw pots
Pot 1
Germany (hosts)
Portugal
France
Spain
Belgium
England
Pot 2
Hungary
Turkiye
Romania
Denmark
Albania
Austria
Pot 3
Netherlands
Scotland
Croatia
Slovenia
Slovakia
Czechia
Pot 4
Italy
Serbia
Switzerland
Play-off winner A
Play-off winner B
Play-off winner C
Here are the favorable and worst-case schemes for coach Gareth Southgate’s men as they set their eye on sealing a first major trophy in 58 years.
England have not been ditched out of the Euros in the group stage since 2000 when they were drawn along with Portugal, Germany, and Romania.
This probable four nations would almost definitely eradicate suspicions of an early group-stage exit.
The Three Lions could be drawn with Albania as their Pot 2 side. This is the country’s only Euros qualifications since 2016 when they won one out of their three games.
Albania secured a place in Pot 2 after winning their qualification group, including teams like the Czech Republic and Poland.
Given England are the favorite to win the Euros, they could still have a remarkable test following the possibility of facing three former winners in the group stage.
Denmark, whom Southgate’s men defeated 2-1 in the semi-finals of Euro 2020, could be the Three Lions nightmare Pot 2 draw.
The Danes were top of their qualification group with seven victories from 10 matches and boast players such as Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Rasmus Hojlund.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands are in Pot 3, another potential nightmare for England.
The Dutch, containing a host of talent including Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Cody G, and Donyell Malen were defeated twice by France in qualifier games.
Finally, probably the most incredible draw would be Italy in Pot 4.
The reigning European champions defeated England on penalties in the final at Wembley two years ago.
Following their failure to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, they suffered consecutive beatings to England during qualification for next year’s Euros.
How were the draw pots determined?
Hosts Germany are planted in Pot 1 and automatically allotted to Group A. The three possible play-off winners have been selected for Pot 4.
The other 20 contenders have been selected by their match results in the qualifying group stage.
How does the EURO 2024 draw work?
A further six pots (A, B, C, D, E, F) are expected to draw the team’s position in each group.
Pots B to F comprise four balls each, to illustrate the positions vacant in each group (eg B1, B2, B3, and B4).
Pot A contains only three balls for the positions A2, A3, and A4 in Group A, since Germany will occupy position A1.
What’s next?
The group stage draw will be held on Saturday, December 2, in Hamburg, where the qualified nations will know who their opponents will be.
