Follow the latest updates from the build-up to the Serbia match in our live blog of the fighting in Germany.
Gareth Southgate’s team are now set up at their training base in Germany, the Weimarer Land Spa and Golf resort in Blankenhain, ahead of their opening match against Serbia today.
All 26 players were able to train on Thursday after John Stones had spent Wednesday in quarantine with illness.
Harry Kane, the England captain, says his team deserve to be the favourites to win the Euros. Asked in an interview with Uefa about England being favourites, captain Kane replied: “I think we have earned this status through our tournaments so far.
“But we are also a team that has never won a Euros, so we are trying to make history here. It is a goal we want to achieve, but we know it will be a long, hard road. We have to make sure we do everything right because if you are not 100 per cent in these tournaments, you can be punished.
“We’ve had a semi-final, a final and a quarter-final, so I hope we can go all the way and win. We’ve had some really good moments, including myself, but ultimately we’re here to win a Euros and, hopefully, we can do that.”
Who are in England’s Euro 2024 group?
England are in Group C alongside Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia.
What is the tournament format?
The top two teams from each group of four will qualify for the round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams. The tournament will then follow a one-leg knockout format until the champion is crowned in the European Championship final.
What are England’s Euro 2024 fixtures and how to watch?
June 16: vs Serbia, Gelsenkirchen, 8pm (BST), BBCJune 20: vs Denmark, Frankfurt, 5pm (BST), BBCJune 25: vs Slovenia, Cologne, 8pm (BST), ITV
England’s potential fixtures after the group stage
If England top group C
June 30 (Round of 16): vs third-place team, 5pmJuly 6 (Quarter-final): vs Group A runner-up or Group B runner-up, 5pmJuly 10 (Semi-final): 8pmJuly 14 (Final): 8pm
If England finish second in group C
June 29 (Round of 16): vs Group A winner, 8pmJuly 5 (Quarter-final): vs Group B winner or a third-placed team, 5pmJuly 9 (Semi-final): 8pmJuly 14 (Final): 8pm
If England go through as one of the best third-placed teams
Route 1: R16 on July 1, QF on July 5, SF on July 9, Final on July 14Route 2: R16 on July 2, QF on July 6, SF on July 10, Final on July 14
Full Euro 2024 fixtures and results
England’s potential route to Euro 2024 final
By Oliver Blair
If England win their group:
Round of 16: AustriaQuarter-final: ItalySemi-final: FranceFinal: Portugal/Germany
England are expected to top their relatively straightforward group in Germany which also contains Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia. If this is the case, Gareth Southgate’s side will most likely face the third place finishers of Group D.
A contest with Austria is the most likely of the many unpredictable permutations of third-place qualification. Other possible opponents could include Slovakia who recorded an impressive 22 points and seven wins in their qualification campaign, or Czech Republic who will be hoping that tournament experience will prove rejuvenating for their form after a disappointing showing in the qualifiers.
Despite missing their leader David Alaba due to an ACL injury, Austria’s strength across the board, as well as their high-pressure, fast-paced style orchestrated by Rangnick, should see them narrowly squeeze past Poland and the other third-place hopefuls. France and Netherlands are expected to claim the top two spots in Group D.
Austria boast a strong midfield featuring Champions league finalist Marcel Sabitzer and Bayern Munich regular Konrad Laimer, and their attack will be spearheaded by Marko Arnautović. Whilst they must not be underestimated, England would expect to progress past them.
England would then face the winner from the match between the runners up of Group A and Group B. With the hosts the favourites in Group A, major-tournament merchants Switzerland should come through just behind them.
In Group B, it is anyone’s guess. Widely considered the ‘group of death’ heading into the tournament Spain, Italy and Croatia could all claim to have understandable designs on top spot. Based on the opening fixtures, Spain look most likely to win the group. Their opening 3-0 win over Croatia was impressive. Italy have also started well coming from behind to beat Albania in their opening match.
Even considering the Swiss’ opening 3-1 win over Hungary, Italy will surely be favourites in the round of 16, and should progress to face England in the quarter-finals.
Although Italy are reigning champions, they are far from a vintage Italian side and England possess enough attacking talent to right the wrongs of the last final.
The semi-finals are where England are likely to face their stiffest test of the tournament. Standing in the way of England’s route to the final, France are the ultimate challenge off the back of their near-miss in Qatar and with the world’s best player Kylian Mbappe in their ranks. However, having come so close to defeating France at the World Cup, there is every reason to feel confident that England can be victorious.
If England are to reach the final, the favourite to rise out of the opposing side of the draw will be Portugal. They will need to answer the somewhat important question during the tournament – will Cristiano Ronaldo start? But if they are able to avoid the drama that seems to trail their talisman, their immense talent and relatively easy group should set them on a path to the finals. The hosts should represent the toughest challenge for Roberto Martínez’s side, but Germany have had their own struggles in the build-up to the Euros.
After beating France, England would go in with all expectations of defeating Portugal and ending all those years of hurt.
If England finish second in their group:
Round of 16: GermanyQuarter-final: SpainSemi-final: PortugalFinal: France
If England are unable to top their group and qualify in second place, they would swing onto the other side of the bracket and likely face Germany in the first round of the knockout stages. The hosts seem to have largely shaken off their recent struggles, and will be quietly confident of going far in the tournament cheered on by some of the best fans in world football. England have the quality to beat them, but facing the hosts will be a more daunting challenge than the alternative path that winning their group would provide.
Victory against Germany would likely see England face the winner of Group B in the semi-finals, with Spain the current favourites. Spain’s squad is brimming with young, dynamic talent led by veteran superstars. Luis de la Fuente’s patient possession-based style might prove challenging to break up for England.
If England overcome that to reach the semi-finals on this side of the bracket, Portugal will stand in their way before a finals tie against France.
If England qualify from third place:
Qualifying as one of the best third-place finishers could see a variety of matchups take place for England. Who England faces will totally depend on who the other three teams that go through in third with Italy, Czech Republic and Hungary all possible contenders.
How do I buy England tickets?
Fans can apply for tickets for any team via the Uefa Euro 2024 ticket portal.
What does England’s new kit look like?
At one stage, the build-up to England’s Euro 2024 challenge was overshadowed by a St George’s Cross kit row.
The furore was sparked by kit manufacturer Nike’s decision to alter the English national flag on the back of the new England shirt, swapping out the red and white for blue and purple and provoking apoplexy among traditionalists.
Even the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer waded in, suggesting Nike “should not mess” with the St George’s Cross.
An “authentic” version of the new England top costs £124.99 for adults and £119.99 for children while a “stadium” version is £84.99 and £64.99 for children.
A Nike spokesperson said: “The England 2024 home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic.
“The trim on the cuffs takes its cues from the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, with a gradient of blues and reds topped with purple. The same colours also feature an interpretation of the flag of St George on the back of the collar.”
What are England’s odds to win Euro 2024?
England: 7/2France: 4/1Germany: 11/2Portugal: 13/2Spain: 8/1Italy: 14/1
Take a look at these Euro 2024 betting offers and free bets
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