When are the Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs? Teams involved, draw, dates and how it works

The majority of competing nations have already reserved their places at the 2024 European Championship, but others are still waiting on qualification.

As hosts, Germany were always certain of a spot at next summer's competition, but the qualification group stage hands 20 other teams automatic passage to Euro 2024 - the winners and runners-up in each of the ten groups.

However, there are still three places up for grabs at Euro 2024 after the qualification group stages, but teams like Wales will have to go through the nerve-wracking play-offs to book their ticket to Germany.

The play-off system is complicated, so let's break down the details of how it works and which teams will be involved now the draw has taken place.

How the Euro 2024 play-offs work

The Euro 2024 play-offs started with 12 nations that didn't qualify automatically for this summer's tournament. The dozen sides in the play-offs were decided on their performances in the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League.

The 12 teams are, on paper, the winners of each group in League A, B and C, but if said group winners have already qualified for Euro 2024 they are replaced by the next highest-ranked side in their group that didn't qualify.

If fewer than four teams from each league can enter the play-offs, the best-ranked side in League D will take their place - as is the case for Euro 2024.

Any slots remaining are then offered to the leftover sides with the highest ranking in the Nations League, based on the provision that group winners from League A, B and C cannot be in a play-off path with a team in a higher league than them.

When the 12 teams are confirmed, they will be split into three distinct 'paths', with each bracket made up of a pair of semi-finals before a decisive final, with the three victors progressing to Euro 2024.

The Euro 2024 play-off draw in full

Wales were drawn against Finland in one of two semi-finals in Path A. Rob Page's side were too strong at home against Teemu Pukki and co as strikes from David Brooks, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson and Dan James rendered the former Norwich forward effort on the stroke of half-time meaningless in a 4-1 Dragons victory.

Their opponents will be Poland. Robert Lewandowski didn't get on the scoresheet but there was more than enough attacking quality on display in Warsaw as the hosts thumped Estonia 5-1.

In Path B, Ukraine performed a dramatic turnaround late in the second half to eliminate Bosnia & Herzegovina. Two goals in four minutes from Roman Yaremchuk and Artem Dovbyk saw Sergiy Rebrov's side book a final with Iceland, who tore Israel apart with a 5-1 success powered by Albert Gudmundsson's hat-trick.

Path C's semi-finals saw Georgia beat Luxembourg 2-0 despite missing the suspended Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, setting up a meeting with Greece. Gus Poyet's team ran out 5-0 winners with four goals coming before half-time.

Euro 2024 play-off semi-finals

Euro 2024 play-off finals

Wales have only ever beaten Poland once in their previous ten meetings, suffering defeat on seven occasions. That includes a six-game losing streak stretching back to 2001, but the Dragons love proving doubters wrong and have fond memories of qualifying for the Euros in dramatic style.

Ukraine have a similarly disappointing streak to smash, having not beaten Path B final opponents Iceland since 1999 - albeit there have only been two games between the two countries since.

Napoli star Kvaratskhelia will hope to inspire Georgia to victory over Euro 2004 winners Greece, which would in turn take his nation to a first ever major international tournament.

Which teams have already qualified for Euro 2024?

Host nation Germany have been assured of their spot since winning the bidding process back in September 2018.

Current European champions Italy just about made it after a draw with Ukraine in their final qualifier, while last tournament's runners-up England will get the chance at redemption after breezing through the process.

Unsurprisingly, Spain, Portugal, France, Netherlands and Belgium will all be at Euro 2024, while 2020 semi-finalists Denmark have also booked their ticket to Germany.

Scotland were one of the first teams to secure their spot at the tournament after an impressive qualification campaign, with Albania and Romania two of the more surprising sides to qualify.

Full list of qualified teams for Euro 2024

When is Euro 2024?

Euro 2024 will take place in Germany next summer, beginning on Friday 14 June and finishing on Sunday 14 July.

There will be ten host cities, including Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt, with the tournament made up of 24 European nations.

READ THE LATEST EURO 2024 NEWS, PREVIEWS & PLAYER RATINGS