Germany – Participating Teams in the Euro Football 2024 Tournament

The 2024 European Championship is taking place on German soil, and Germany are looking to go far in their home tournament. They have a great record in this competition, lifting the trophy three times. Can the class of 2024 guide the nation to a fourth Euro Cup win this summer? 

We check out Germany’s recent history in the finals, analyse their expected performances, and highlight the key players to watch out for. Join us as we take a closer look at the German national team and their preparations for this summer’s European Championship.

The German Football Team in the Euro Football Tournament

With the tournament taking place on home soil, Germany did not have to qualify for the 2024 Euro Cup. Instead, the German national team have played a series of friendlies to warm up for the tournament. 

Apart from Nations League matches, Germany’s last competitive fixture was at the World Cup in 2022. They had a disappointing time in Qatar, collecting just four points in the group stage and failing to reach the knockout phase. 

Germany suffered a shock defeat to Japan in game one and never recovered. Despite drawing with Spain and beating Costa Rica, the Germans finished third behind the Spaniards on goal difference. As a result, they were knocked out of a World Cup in the group stage for the second time in a row. 

Despite their poor run of form in major tournaments, Germany head into the 2024 European Championship as one of the favourites. Julian Nagelsmann’s men look strong on paper, and the German national team will be desperate to make home advantage count.  

As the hosts, Germany were one of the top seeds and were seeded in Pot 1. With Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium, and England also in the pot, Nagelsmann’s side will avoid the big guns in the group stage. 

Germany were automatically drawn into Group A and will kick off the tournament with a game against Scotland in Munich on June 14th. Hungary and Switzerland were also drawn into Group A. 

All eyes will be on the opening fixture of the Euro Cup 2024 in mid-June. Germany welcome Scotland to the Allianz Arena, and Nagelsmann and his troops will be desperate to start with maximum points. Helped by the top form of Manchester United man Scott McTominay, Steve Clarke’s side had a fine qualifying campaign, finishing second behind Spain in their group. 

The Tartan Army will fancy their chances and will be backed by thousands of fanatical Scottish supporters in Munich, but the Germans are the red-hot favourites to kick off their Euro tournament with a win. 

Game one could be a nervy affair, but Germany will put one foot in the knockout phase if they can see off the Scots. Next up for the Germans is a Group A matchup with Hungary at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on June 19th.

Like Scotland, the Hungarians also had an impressive qualifying campaign. Nevertheless, the hosts will be looking for another victory in front of their home fans, and six points out of six is a strong possibility. 

Germany’s third and final Group A matchup of the 2024 European Championship finals will be against Switzerland. The Swiss have been on the rise over the past couple of years and could be Germany’s toughest opponents in the group stage. That fixture will take place in front of an expected capacity crowd at the Stuttgart Arena on June 23rd. 

With the top two going straight through to the knockout stages, Germany will back themselves to get the job done. If they win Group A, the hosts will be in Dortmund for their Round of 16 fixture on June 29th. They will face the runners-up in Group C, which could be England or Denmark. 

Germany’s European Championship Record

Germany are one of the most successful sides in international football. They have been champions of the world on four occasions and have won three European Championships. 

Germany have reached the most European Championship finals, competing in six. The Germans have lifted the trophy three times and have been runners-up on three occasions. They share the record for most Euro Cup wins with Spain. 

Germany did not enter the first two European Championships and failed to qualify for the 1968 edition in Italy. However, as West Germany in 1972, they went all the way in their first-ever Euro Championship appearance. 

West Germany beat rivals England in the quarter-final play-offs, securing a comfortable 3-1 victory over two legs. In the main tournament, they beat Belgium in Antwerp before seeing off Soviet Union in the final in Brussels. 

Just eight years later, the Germans were the top dogs in Europe once again. They reached the final in 1976 and went one better at the 1980 European Championship on Italian soil.

They topped Group 1 by winning two and drawing one of three. Along the way, West Germany beat Czechoslovakia and Netherlands and picked up a goalless draw with Greece.

They secured the trophy with a narrow victory over Belgium in Rome in the final. Horst Hrubesch was the German hero, netting both goals in a 2-1 success. Hrubesch’s winner came just two minutes from time. 

Germany’s third and most famous Euro success came on English turf in 1996. They won Group C at a canter, finishing above Czech Republic, Italy, and Russia. In the knockout phase, the Germans beat Croatia and England to set up a final tie against the Czechs. 

In front of over 70,000 fans at the old Wembley Stadium, Germany picked up a 2-1 win. Olivier Bierhoff’s extra-time Golden Goal did the business for the Germans. It was the first major final to be settled by the Golden Goal rule.  

Germany’s Star Players in the Team

Germany’s team for the 2024 European Championship will be packed full of superstars. Nagelsmann has a massive pool of talent to choose from, and several familiar faces are likely to miss out when the final squad is announced. 

It will be fascinating to see which XI lines up for the opening game against Scotland on June 14th. Of course, injuries can occur before the finals, but Nagelsmann will already have a fair idea of his selection for the opening game. 

The young coach has been known to tinker with his formation and personnel, and the recent friendlies have been used for experimental purposes. In-form Leroy Sane will play a huge role for Germany in the finals. The former Manchester City man is enjoying a fine season with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. 

Jamal Musiala is another young Bayern player who has caught the eye this term. He plays well beyond his years and will have a big part to play for his national side this summer. Florian Wirtz is also developing at a rapid pace. 

The experienced heads of Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan will no doubt be in the heart of Germany’s midfield. Kimmich has been a consistent performer since breaking onto the scene, while Gundogan won the treble with Man City before heading for Barcelona. 

Arsenal man Kai Havertz has played out of position under Nagelsmann, and his versatility could be a real asset for the team. Antonio Rudiger, who has been in good form for Real Madrid, will be the first-choice centre-back for the German head coach. 

Germany will have one of the most experienced and talented squads in the Euro Championship. They also have one of the best young managers in world football. 

Nagelsmann has been given a chance to showcase his talent for the national team after successful spells with Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, and Bayern in club management. Nagelsmann has already won the Bundesliga title and was named the German Football Manager of the Year in 2017. 

At 36, Nagelsmann will be the youngest man to win a European Championship as a coach if Germany go all the way this summer.

Germany’s Chances of Winning the 2024 European Championship

Germany have a great chance of lifting the European Championship trophy in 2024. Home advantage could play a huge role, and the Germans will be relying on their passionate fans to set the atmosphere during their three group games. 

In truth, Germany should have no problems getting out of their group. They will put one foot in the knockouts with a win against Scotland in game one, and they could go through with the right result against Hungary on matchday two.  

Should they get there, Germany will have to be at their best in the knockout phase if they want to go far. The Round of 16 is where the Euro Championship comes to life, and the Germans were knocked out by England at the last-16 stage in the previous edition. 

We at Unibet will have a comprehensive Euro betting market and competitive odds on every Germany game this summer. Also, look out for various promotions and offers throughout the football festival. The Germans are certainly one of the teams to watch out for, but have they got what it takes to win Europe’s elite prize on home soil?