How Wales can qualify for Euro 2024

  • Wales must progress through the play-offs to reach Euro 2024 in Germany
  • Dragons first meet Finland in mid-March at Cardiff City Stadium
  • Victory would set up a final vs Poland or Estonia

Wales must succeed in the play-offs once again
Wales must succeed in the play-offs once again / Pixsell/MB Media/GettyImages
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Wales still have a good chance to reach Euro 2024 despite failing to secure a top-two finish in group stage qualifying.

Harry Wilson channelled his inner Gareth Bale to lift Rob Page's side to an incredible 2-1 victory over Croatia in Cardiff back in October, giving supporters hope of automatic qualification for this summer's tournament in Germany.

However, after slipping behind in the running, Wales now must run the play-off gauntlet before booking their plane tickets.

Here's how Wales can seal their place at Euro 2024.


Wales in Euro 2024 qualifying so far

Kieffer Moore
Wales endured a mixed qualifying campaign / Michael Steele/GettyImages

Welsh supporters have had quite the ride. Expectations were tempered following the retirement of Bale at the start of 2023 and many wrote Page's men off after a nightmare June.

Wales were beaten at home by Armenia 4-2 on Matchday 3 and brushed aside by Turkey a few days later. Their poor summer undermined the bright start they'd made in Group D as they drew away in Croatia on Matchday 1 and beat Latvia 1-0 in Cardiff.

Victory in Latvia in September returned Wales to winning ways before the over mammoth success over Croatia enhanced their chances of qualifying for Euro 2024. However, a trickier end to qualifying saw Wales drop down to third as Luka Modric and co pipped them to second.

Page's side couldn't secure the victories needed in their final outings, securing 1-1 draws with both Armenia and Turkey in November. They ultimately finished four points behind Croatia, trailing by nine on goal difference.


Euro 2024 qualifying - Group D

Position

Nation

Played

Goal difference

Points

1.

Turkey

8

+7

17

2.

Croatia

8

+9

16

3.

Wales

8

0

12

4.

Armenia

8

-2

8

5.

Latvia

8

-14

3


Wales' results in Euro 2024 qualifying Group D

Date / Kick-off time (UK)

Result

25/03/23 / 19:45

Croatia 1-1 Wales

28/03/23 / 19:45

Wales 1-0 Latvia

16/06/23 / 19:45

Wales 2-4 Armenia

19/06/23 / 19:45

Turkey 2-0 Wales

11/09/23 / 19:45

Latvia 0-2 Wales

15/10/23 / 19:45

Wales 2-1 Croatia

18/11/23 / 14:00

Armenia vs Wales

21/11/23 / 19:45

Wales vs Turkey


How can Wales qualify for Euro 2024?

Wales must now feature in the Euro 2024 play-offs, with Finland their first opponents on Thursday 21 March. They have home advantage, with that game as well as the final - in which the Dragons could face Poland or Estonia - to be played at Cardiff City Stadium if they win.

Semi-final

Path

Date / Kick-off Time (GMT)

Poland vs Estonia

A

21/03/24 - 19:45

Wales vs Finland

A

21/03/24 - 19:45

Israel vs Iceland

B

21/03/24 - 19:45

Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Ukraine

B

21/03/24 - 19:45

Georgia vs Luxembourg

C

21/03/24 - 17:00

Greece vs Kazakhstan

C

21/03/24 - 19:45


Final

Path

Date / Kick-off Time (GMT)

Wales or Fiinland v Poland or Estonia

A

26/03/24 - TBC

Bosnia & Herzegovina or Ukraine vs Israel or Iceland

B

26/03/24 - TBC

Georgia or Luxembourg vs Greece or Kazakhstan

C

26/03/24 - TBC


Who has qualified for Euro 2024?

While England are hoping to embark on a qualifying campaign before hosting Euro 2028, Germany were grateful for their automatic qualification. Die Mannschaft's dire 2023 under Hansi Flick suggests they would have struggled in qualifying.

Nevertheless, the Germans are there - now with Julian Nagelsmann at the helm - and have been joined by the usual slate of continental heavyweights. Belgium, France and Portugal became the first teams to qualify in mid-October, with Scotland, Spain and Turkey joining them.

England had few issues sealing their spot, with 2020 semi-finalists Denmark also confirmed entrants.


Qualified teams

Germany (hosts)

Albania

Austria

Belgium

Croatia

Czechia

Denmark

England

France

Hungary

Italy

Netherlands

Portugal

Romania

Scotland

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Switzerland

Turkey


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