Are Euro 2024 groups decided by goal difference or head-to-head?

WITH Euro 2024 now underway, fans from across the continent are wondering if their nation will progress.

As the European Championship unfolds the points standings in each group will shift, ultimately deciding which teams will move on to the knockout rounds.

epa11239812 Players of Germany celebrate the 0-1 goal scored by Florian Wirtz (unseen) during the friendly international soccer match between France and Germany, in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, France, 23 March 2024. EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA
Germany host the Uefa Euro 2024 tournament this summer
EPA

But for countries winning their game is not the only deciding factor to proceed into the knockout stages.

Additional factors such as head-to-head, goal difference and goals scored come into play if teams end up level on points in their group.

How does the group stage work?

The Uefa Euro points system is clear and simple – rewarding teams based on their performance during matches.

  • Win: A team earns 3 points for a victory.
  • Draw: Both teams in a draw receive 1 point each.
  • Loss: A losing team earns 0 points.

Teams are ranked in their groups according to the number of points they have earned, and the top teams will progress to the knockout rounds.

What happens if teams are tied on points?

If two or more teams are level on points at the end of the group stage, a head-to-head record is used as the first tie-breaker to determine their final rankings.

This is followed by goal difference and goals scored in the matches between the teams in question, followed by most wins and then disciplinary records across the group as a whole.

Should two teams be tied on points, goals scored and conceded at the end of the group stage – with no tiebreaker separating them from any other team – a penalty shootout will dictate their final placings.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Can third place qualify for the knockouts?

The format will be the same as for Euro 2020.

The top two in each of the six final tournament groups will proceed to the round of 16 along with the four best third-placed finishers.

Again this will be determined by points won, goals scored and conceded at the end of the group stage.

The tournament then enters into knockout football with a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-final and final.

When does Euro 2024 start?

The Euro 2024 final tournament is scheduled to run from June 14 to July 14, 2024.

The group stage will conclude on June 26, followed by the knockout stage starting on June 29.

The final will take place on Sunday, July 14.

What are the groups?

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland

Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania

Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England

Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France

Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine

Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic

PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!

The best fantasy football game for this summer's tournament.

  • £50,000 Prize Pot
  • Free to play
  • Play in Mini Leagues against your mates
  • Download Dream Team app
  • PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS!

Enhance your experience of the Euros further by playing our other games: Bracket Challenge and Score Predictor.