PLAYERS TO ANTICIPATE AT EURO 2024

England, France, Germany, Portugal, and Hosts Germany are ranked the favorites to win Euro 2024 amongst twenty-four teams to compete for the Grand prize.
The English team pushed into the top spot in a tricky Qualifying stage. Gareth Southgate has relied on the squad that led them to the final rounds in the last three tournaments. The hunger the Three Lions have for silverware is no news. Their men’s international team has been unsuccessful in the European Championship, although recognized as the birthplace of modern soccer. England’s last triumph was winning the World Cup in 1966 on home soil, beating West Germany 4-2 at Wembley, thanks to a hattrick from Sir Geoff Hurst. Gareth Southgate’s squad came the closest to breaking the long-term drought four years ago but unfortunately lost to the Defending Champions, Italy, on penalties at Wembley.
France is a firm favorite to win the Euro 2024 championship. Under Coach Didier Deschamps, they have been the best team in Europe. Les Bleu has been formidable over the years. They ended as Runner-up in the 2016 European Championship, won the FIFA World Cup in 2018, and ended as Runner-up in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In the Qualification stage, they remained unbeaten, winning all drawing with Greece on the final matchday.
Spain won the tournament in 1964, 2008, and 2012. Their team comprises young and talented players, especially from Barcelona and Real Madrid. The New Manager, Luis de la Fuente, would have to select a winning side from a vast network of players.
Belgium has a golden generation of players like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Leandro Trossard. They rank 5th in the latest FIFA World rankings. Belgians haven’t won the competition despite qualifying for almost all the championships. The closest they came was in the 1980 finals against Germany in Italy.
Portugal would prey for a repeat of their win in 2016. They are one of the football powerhouses in Europe and have an impressive team of talented players and youngsters. Portugal won Iceland in their final Euro 2024 qualifying match, concluding their qualifying campaign with a perfect record of ten consecutive wins. Inspired by this achievement, they are sure contenders to win the coming championship.
The Hosts, Germany, also have a rich history in the competition. They are level with Spain as the most successful team to grace the competition. Julian Nagelsmann recently took charge of the team, and winning the competition on home soil would be a top priority. The Germans have failed to perform well in major tournaments since winning the 2014 World Cup.
Euro 2024 will showcase a host of talented players. Here are a few players to anticipate in the coming tournament.
Mbappe has already left his mark on world football. Since his senior debut, Mbappe has scored 42 goals in 72 appearances for Les Bleu, four at the 2020 Euro and six in Euro Qualifications. He played a vital role in France's 2018 World Cup triumph.
The 25-year-old has scored 18 times this season and is the highest goalscorer in League 1. Although younger than most of his colleagues, Mbappe is the captain at both the club and the international level. He is notably one of the world's best players in world soccer today.
Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to impress with his goal-scoring even outside Europe. In what could be his last tournament with the Portuguese team, he aims to finish his career with another trophy for his country. His achievements have been extraordinary, stamping his name as one of the Greatest players in the sport. His move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nasarr has rekindled a spark in his career, scoring 43 times in 49 appearances for the club. His leadership qualities and ability to scoring ability make him a threat to opposing teams.
Griezmann won the Golden Boot Award after France suffered a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in Euro 2016. He has expressed his ambition to win Europe’s biggest prize with the French team in the upcoming championship. He has been instrumental in France’s recent success. His determination to succeed is evident in his consistent performances, making him a linchpin in France's EURO 2024 aspirations. He has scored 44 goals for the Les Blues to date.
38-year-old Croatian Captain and midfielder Luka Modric remains a crucial player for Real Madrid and the national team. His ball control and vision in the midfield are unparalleled. He was instrumental in Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final.
Croatia completed a comeback to claim the final auto-spot qualification to the tournament ahead of Wales. It is their fifth appearance in the championship and might be the last for Modric. They will be determined to make an impact after experiencing Round of 16 exits in 2016 and 2021. The Ballon dor winner is yet to win a trophy with his national team.
Manuel Neuer has shown why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Despite not being the first choice for the Germans, he is determined to demonstrate his class and believes he deserves to be the German’s number one pick at Euro 2024. Germany would count on his shot-stopping abilities in the competition.
Harry Kane has been impressive in the Bundesliga. He scored 21 goals in 15 appearances for Bayern Munich. He has adapted to life in Germany and fits perfectly into Thomas Tuchel’s style of play. His form and hunger to win a silverware would be his drive at the competition. As the country’s highest goal scorer, he’s been ranked to power the Three Lions to Glory, ending their long trophyless drought.
Jude Bellingham has become a placeholder in England's midfield since his senior debut in 2020. He has scored an impressive 17 goals and five assists in 20 matches for the Los Blancos. The 20-year-old won the 2023 Golden Boy awards ahead of Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala. He reads the game and contributes immensely in a style beyond his years.
Giroud brings experience to the younger generation of French players. He debuted for the National team at 25 and has been crucial in their success.
The 38-year-old scored 56 goals in over 120 caps for Les Bleu. He is Frances's all-time highest goal scorer. His flexibility and ability to score in tight situations is highly remarkable. Winning the European Championship would further solidify him as a player who has conquered every European championship he has participated in.
The Lazio striker was part of Mancini’s 2020 winning team. He has strong finishing and instincts that make him a constant threat to opponents. In good form this season, he is determined to lead Italy's attacking line in their title defense. His ability to capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities and create space for teammates positions him as a player to watch in EURO 2024.
Path A: Poland, Wales, Estonia
Path B: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel
Path A or B: Finland, Iceland, Ukraine
Path C: Georgia vs. Luxembourg, Greece vs. Kazakhstan
The tournament kicks off on the 14th of June 2024, with the match between Scotland and Hosts Germany. Below is a list of all the Six Groups and nations to compete for the coveted prize.
GROUP A: Germany (GER), Scotland (SCO), Hungary (HUN) and Switzerland (SUI)
GROUP B: Spain (ESP), Croatia (CRO,) Italy (ITA) and Albania (ALB)
GROUP C: Slovenia (SVN), Denmark (DEN), Serbia (SRB) and England (ENG)
GROUP D: Play-off winner A, Netherlands (NED), Austria (AUT) and France (FRA)
GROUP E: Belgium (BEL), Slovakia (SVK), Romania (ROU) and Play-off winner B
GROUP F: Turkey (TUR), Play-off winner C, Portugal (POR) and Czech Republic (CZE)
EURO 2024 TICKETS
Fans are eager to witness the EURO 2024 in Germany firsthand. Ensure you have a hassle-free experience by obtaining your tickets from the ticket marketplace. Explore seat maps, compare prices, and find the ideal spot for an unforgettable experience.