There’s set to be some downbeat Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea players when they return to their clubs next week with a host of players at risk of missing out on qualifying for Euro 2024. A few nations have already secured their spots at next year’s major tournament, including England and Scotland.
They’re also joined by Germany (the hosts), Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and Austria. But there’s plenty to play for in most of the groups in their final qualifying fixtures.
Group A is already set with both Scotland and Spain through, but Norway are at serious risk of missing out on qualifying with a play-off spot as Georgia will advance to the play-offs after winning their Nations League group. It means Arsenal star Martin Odegaard and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland are relying on results elsewhere going their way to determine whether they will also get a play-off spot.
In Group B, the Netherlands and Greece are currently in a direct battle to finish second behind France to avoid going into a play-off. The Dutch team possesses a host of Premier League stars including Liverpool trio Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch along with other Premier League stars in Micky van de Ven, Jurrien Timber, Tyrell Malacia and Nathan Ake.
The Netherlands hold the advantage as Greece face a tough final group game against France, while Ronald Koeman’s side need only to beat the Republic of Ireland to guarantee they finish second. Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher is relying on a miracle as Ireland need to beat the Netherlands and rely on results elsewhere going their way to secure a play-off spot based on their Nations League performances.
In Group C, it’s extremely close between Ukraine and Italy for the final guaranteed qualifying spot and will likely come down to the match between the two sides in their final group game. Tottenham duo Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie, along with Arsenal’s Jorginho will face an anxious week with the Italians.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mykahylo Mudryk will be doing all they can to ensure Ukraine finish above Italy. Group D follows a similar path with Wales and Croatia neck-and-neck in their battle to finish behind Turkey.
City duo Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol can rest somewhat easy as Croatia are assured of at least a play-off spot, but Tottenham pair Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson don’t have that luxury. Wales are relying on beating Armenia as well as Croatia losing to Latvia to clinch second in the group.
Group H is finely poised as well with Denmark still looking to book their spot and Manchester United pair Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund will not be able to help their nation due to injury. Tottenham star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will be hoping to help Denmark beat Slovenia on November 17th to avoid potentially dropping into the play-offs.
In Group I, City star Manuel Akanji will be hoping to avoid any slip-ups as Switzerland can secure a top-two finish with a win over Israel. Sweden have no chance of qualifying even for the play-offs, meaning Manchester United star Victor Lindelof and Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski won’t be at the Euros next summer.
