Euro 2024 qualifying kicks off this week as the countdown to the tournament next summer begins. With a place at the tournament at stake, lets see what chances the home nations have.
ENGLAND
Gareth Southgate staying is a bonus following questions around his future after the World Cup. His contract is up after the finals in Germany next summer and he'll want to make the most of his final year by leading England to glory. But first he has to guide his team towards qualification for the tournament itself.
The spotlight will be on captain Harry Kane in their first game against Italy on Thursday with it being his first England game since his missed penalty against France at the World Cup. He might get a mixed reception from the crowd because of what happened but with the form he's been in for Spurs since then he'll be feeling confident of putting that miss firmly behind him. His focus will be on England for their opening qualifying games and on becoming England's record goal scorer as he needs just one goal to overtake Wayne Rooney.
The Three Lions won't have as straightforward a qualifying campaign than they have done in recent years as they're in a tougher group than usual. Italy are by far the toughest team in their group as they're European champions and have got the better of England in recent games. England should still qualify but probably won't win the group.
NORTHERN IRELAND
The Green and White army will be feeling fairly optimistic heading into qualifying as old boss Michael O'Neill is back in charge after 3 years away. O'Neill had a successful first spell in charge of Northern Ireland as they qualified for Euro 2016 and just missed out on the 2018 World Cup. He'll be hoping to bring back some positivity to the place after a tough few years under Ian Baraclough where they dropped massively down the rankings.
O'Neill returns with a big job on his hands as his side will be low on confidence following he disastrous reign of Ian Baraclough. He'll also be without some of the key figures from his previous side in Chris Brunt, Gareth McAuley and Michael McGovern who are all long retired. He won't know many of the players in the current squad and will need some new key figures in the dressing room if he is to get his side winning football matches again.
There is an outside chance that they could qualify for the Euro's next summer as there are teams in their group that they can beat. Denmark will be the clear favourites to win the group but the other teams in San Marino, Finland, Slovenia and Kazakhstan are sides they feel than they beat. But it will take time for O'Neill to get his side winning games and for him to find his best team.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Ireland were a side who were always pushing for a place at a major tournament but didn't always get there. They're miles off being that team at this moment in time as there isn't enough quality in their side like there used to be. Especially going forward with goals being their main problem for a number of years now.
Since Robbie Keane retired in 2017 goals have been a major problem for Stephen Kenny's side. They don't have an out and out goal scorer in their side like they did in Keane and haven't had one since their record goal scorer left the international scene. This is likely to cost them again during their upcoming qualifying campaign.
No one has probably given them a chance of qualifying for the Euro's next summer as they're in a tough group with France and Holland who will both be favourites to go through. With Greece guaranteed a play off spot Ireland don't have much hope.
SCOTLAND
Steve Clarke's side are already guaranteed a play off place ahead of these qualifiers as a result of their performances in the Nations League. They will still target a top two finish like any side would but they won't be under pressure to as they have that play off place booked which is their more realistic route to qualifying.
Missing out on the World Cup will have hurt them and especially after losing in a play off. But they bounced back from that by finishing top of their Nations League group and their performance in that will give them confidence heading into this qualifying campaign.
They might have to settle for that play off spot if they're to qualify for the tournament next summer with Spain and Norway being the two favourites to qualify automatically. Spain will probably win the group with the quality they have whilst Norway will probably take second spot. Especially with the likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in their side.
WALES
The World Cup marked the end of an era for Wales with it being the final tournament for some of their experienced players. But it also marked the start of a new one because of the young players they have coming through and in their squad. The youngsters offer an exciting future for Welsh football.
But qualifying for the Euros next summer will be challenging as they've lost three important players in Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Chris Gunter who were all a key part of their recent success. Bale is without a doubt the biggest loss as he carried the team to those 3 major tournaments. Rob Page will need someone to step up as the new talisman and whoever does has big shoes to fill.
They still have a good chance of qualifying though as they're in an open group. Croatia and Turkey will be challenging opponents but Latvia and Armenia will be games that they'll see as winnable. They still have a tough campaign ahead of them but they'll still give themselves a chance because of the open group they're in.
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