Euro 2028 Draw - How Do The Home Nations Qualify⁠

The 2028 European Championship qualifying draw will take place on Sunday 6th December at 5pm. At the draw (In Ireland), 54 European teams will be split into 12 groups, each containing 4 or 5 teams. Qualification matches are due to then begin in March and conclude in November 2027. 24 teams will qualify for the finals. Seeded teams in the draw are determined by performance in the 2026-27 Nations League.

From the qualifiers, the 12 group winners and 8 best ranked runners up will qualify directly for Euro 2028. The remaining 2-4 slots will be determined by play off games held in March 2028. These will comprise lower ranked group runners up combined with top ranked teams from the 2026-27 Nations League, though subject to a host nations safety net.

Introducing The Host Safety Net

Euro 2028 is being jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic Of Ireland. However, in a change to normal qualification rules, host nations do NOT qualify automatically. All four nations will be drawn into the 12 qualification groups - but cannot be in the same group.

Two Euro 2028 final slots are held in reserve for the host nations if they fail to qualify normally. These two slots will be awarded (if required) based on qualification records. If two or more of the host nations fail to qualify directly - then reserved host safety places are used.

Can Host Nations End Up In The Playoffs?

Yes there is a scenario where a host nation can end up in the playoffs. If one nation tops their group and the other three finish second but have worse records than the other top eight runners up - then they would use two of the home nations' safety slots and the third could enter the playoffs.

If two host teams qualify on merit - then the other teams qualify via using a safety net slot.

How Safety Spots Affect The Playoffs

• 2 Safety Spots Used - If both safety net places are used, then there will only be two teams able to qualify from the playoffs. In this case eight teams enter the playoffs, playing a single leg semi-final and then a final.

• 1 Safety Spot Used - In this case, then three teams are able to qualify from the playoffs. The number of teams expands to 12, which are then placed into three groups of four teams-  who again play a semi final and a final to qualify.

• No Safety Spots Are Used - If all 4 host nations qualify via their groups, then 4 playoffs places are available. In this case 8 teams play a traditional home and away tie and the winners qualify for Euro 2028.

Euro 2028 Finals

The European Championships are due to begin on 9th June 2028 with the opening match in Cardiff. Nine stadiums across the host countries will witness the match action. The final will be played at Wembley on the 9th July.