sport news Euro 2024 qualifiers: when is it, when are the fixtures, groups, and how many ... trends now
The Euro 2024 qualifying campaign returns this week as 53 nations are set to battle it out for a chance to play in Germany next year.
Italy are the current holders of the tournament after they defeated Gareth Southgate's England 3-2 on penalties at the Euro 2020 final.
The opening round of fixtures sees several mouthwatering encounters take place. Holders Italy will face Southgate's England on Thursday.
Another game to keep an eye sees an epic showdown between France and the Netherlands.
Sportsmail breaks down everything you need to know ahead of the return of the Euro qualifiers.
Euro 2024 will take place in Germany, with the tournament getting underway in June
Italy are the holders of the competition after the beat England on penalties at Euro 2020
The qualifying campaign is set to get underway a little later than usual. Traditionally, the qualifying phase starts two years before the tournament starts in September.
The first matchday will take place on Thursday, March 23. With just over a year to go until the Euros officially get underway, UEFA have to cram all 10 matchdays and the play-off finals before June 2024.
The final matchday will take place from November 19 until the 21.
Over the last year, the international fixture calendar has been rearranged to accommodate the World Cup in Qatar.
Domestic Leagues started their season earlier than usual this year and are set to end slightly later due to the World Cup taking place in the winter.
Usually, there are three international windows heading into the back end of the year.
The first window tends to run in the final week of August until around the second week of September, and the second will usually take place a month later, with the final round of international fixtures taking place in November.
However, before to the World Cup, there was only one international break - which took place in September. During the break, the final games of the UEFA Nations League took place, meaning that there was no time to start Euro 2024 qualifying.
The final round of fixtures of the UEFA Nations League took place back in September
The international calendar has been altered due to the World Cup taking place in the winter