Euro 2028 Qualifying 2026
UEFA's European Championship 2028 is heading to the UK and Ireland — and qualification gets underway in 2026 with European nations battling through qualifying groups to earn their spot in the tournament. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland benefit as co-hosts, while every other UEFA nation must qualify the hard way.
Euro 2028 Host Nations — Already Qualified
England
Host — automatic qualifier
Scotland
Host — automatic qualifier
Wales
Host — automatic qualifier
Northern Ireland
Host — automatic qualifier
Rep of Ireland
Host — automatic qualifier
Nations to Watch in Euro 2028 Qualifying
Spain
Reigning Euro 2024 champions. La Roja will be heavy favourites to qualify and repeat as European Champions on British soil in 2028.
France
Kylian Mbappé and Les Bleus are perennial contenders. After near-misses at Euro 2020 and 2024, France will look to go one better on British pitches.
Germany
The tournament host for Euro 2024 saw an incredible atmosphere. Now qualifying as visitors, Germany will be desperate to win on the road ahead of a 2028 tilt.
Euro 2028 Qualifying — The Full Picture
The UEFA European Championship 2028 will be the first major tournament held across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland since Euro 1996, which England hosted at venues including Wembley, Old Trafford, and Villa Park. That tournament is remembered for England's unforgettable "Football's Coming Home" run to the semi-finals.
Qualifying for Euro 2028 follows a similar structure to previous tournaments — UEFA's 55 members are split into qualifying groups, typically of five or six nations. Group winners automatically qualify, with runners-up entering play-offs for the remaining spots.
In 2026, the qualifying campaign begins with March international windows — just months after the FIFA World Cup 2026 concludes. Nations will be managing player fitness and rotation carefully, with many top stars having just returned from a long World Cup campaign in North America.
The five host nations — England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland — are automatically qualified, leaving 19 spots to be contested. Expect fierce battles in every group, with historical giants like the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy and Belgium all needing to earn their places the hard way.
Latest Euro 2028 Qualifying News
Euro 2028 tickets to cost less than a car park spot at World Cup as UEFA commit to pricing
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Five Euro 2028 tickets 'cost same as World Cup parking space'
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Scotland boss Clarke set for new deal until Euro 2028 - gossip
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Thirty years on from Three Lions, Frank Skinner is at it again... this time writing a poem for Euro 2028
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UEFA make decision on hydration breaks for Euro 2028 in UK and Ireland
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Boost for fans as BBC announce deal to show Scotland's Euro 2028 qualifiers live on free-to-air TV
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Ronaldo drops ‘major hint’ that he WILL play at Euro 2028 as England ‘shock’ midfield plan revealed
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Five players to kick out of the England squad for Euro 2028 after World Cup failure
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Five England players to build the team around for Euro 2028: Trent returns…
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What next for England? How does Tuchel fix key problems for Euro 2028?
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Thomas Tuchel has got to find a way to get the best out of his top technical talent ahead of Euro 2028. No other country in the world would leave Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold at home, writes IAN LADYMAN
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Tuchel ‘100%’ invested in leading England at Euro 2028 despite semi-final failure
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Thomas Tuchel facing FA inquest despite under-fire England boss' Euro 2028 vow
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Thomas Tuchel makes Euro 2028 vow as under-fire England boss doubles down on tactics
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How England could line up at Euro 2028 as harsh Harry Kane reality is exposed
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5 things Thomas Tuchel must fix ahead of Euro 2028 including new message to England stars
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5 things Thomas Tuchel must fix ahead of Euro 2028 including new message to England stars
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World Cup third-place play-off is 'absolute nonsense' and 'should be scrapped', insists Alan Shearer - as ex-England captain sends Euro 2028 warning to Three Lions
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Excited for the Euros now? Your Euro 2028 guide is here...
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Bukayo Saka makes painful England admission and Euro 2028 vow after World Cup star turn
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Analysis & Features
Hosting Euro 2028 is a logistical nightmare for England
2 months, 1 week ago
Jude Bellingham at false nine is Thomas Tuchel's only path to Euro 2028 glory
2 months, 2 weeks ago
Gary Lineker is jumping the gun on England's Euro 2028 prospects
2 months, 2 weeks ago
Euro 2028: Why we're already screaming about the stadiums
2 months, 2 weeks ago