sport news 10 TALKING POINTS ahead of Euro 2024 qualifying getting underway this week trends now
It seems only yesterday we were watching a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina lift the World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over France following one of the greatest finals of all time.
After a hectic three months of the domestic schedule, international football is firmly back on the agenda with the start of Euro 2024 qualifying this week.
Next summer's tournament takes place in Germany, with Hansi Flick's side having qualified already by virtue of being hosts, and 53 teams are preparing their quest to join them.
Several nations will be desperate for glory next year, not least England as Gareth Southgate heads into what is likely to be his fourth and last major tournament in charge, while reigning European champions Italy are aiming to bounce back after failing to qualify for the World Cup.
Ahead of the action getting underway, Sportsmail picks out 10 talking points to look out for in qualifying.
Euro 2024 qualifying gets underway this week, with nations back in action after the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the Portugal squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualification matches
There is no doubt Gareth Southgate has had a transformational impact on England both on and off the pitch.
Under his tutelage, the Three Lions have reached a World Cup semi-final then a Euros final before unluckily crashing out in the quarter-finals to France in Qatar.
Yet the 52-year-old remains a divisive figure. Many are delighted he decided to continue following the World Cup but others believe Southgate holds the side back.
After the progress made over the past three major tournaments, the aim for the Three Lions has to be to go all the way in Germany, but questions remain over whether Southgate can keep improving the side.
A criticism of England is the fact that between the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy and the World Cup in Qatar, only Jude Bellingham managed to force his way into the team, and Southgate needs to make sure they evolve by next summer.
However, this is easier said than done with the former defender heavily critical of the ever-reducing pool of English players plying their trade in the Premier League.
The Three Lions are likely to be challenged in qualifying with tough fixtures against Ukraine and Italy and they will hope build on their recent tournament experiences rather than this being one step too far for Southgate.
Gareth Southgate is heading into what is likely to be his final major tournament with England
Didier Deschamps's decision to replace the now-retired Hugo Lloris with Kylian Mbappe as France's new captain has reportedly upset Antoine Griezmann.
The 32-year-old - who has racked up 117 caps for his country scoring 42 goals - has been an extremely loyal and reliable player for Deschamps ever since making his debut in 2014, but is now said to be now considering his international future.
While the French football team is never short of drama, with several experienced players such as Raphael Varane and Lloris having already stepped back from international duty, Deschamps can't afford to lose the know-how and quality of Griezmann too.
With a tough qualifying group that includes the Netherlands, the France boss can't allow a rift to develop among his squad as they aim to bounce back from heartbreak in the World Cup final.
Antoine Griezman (right) is reportedly questioning his international future after being snubbed for the France captaincy, with Kylian Mbappe (left) preferred by Didier Deschamps
After achievements during an international career that saw him score 41 goals in 111 games and guide Wales to three major tournaments, Gareth Bale can lay claim to being the country's greatest ever player.
The former Real Madrid star had an astonishing impact on the side and his achievements are made even greater by the fact Wales had previously not qualified for a major tournament in 58 years.
Even when his powers were waning, Bale still managed to score the winning goals in crunch play-off games with Austria and Ukraine to help Wales qualify for the World Cup.
After his retirement following the tournament in Qatar, Rob Page's squad is lacking in quality and stardust, with Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson their most dangerous and in-form attacker.
It remains to be seen whether Wales will be able to replicate their achievements of the past decade without Bale - who so often added the world class quality to a solid and organised side.
That is Page's task but he will be boosted by a favourable qualifying group that sees them face Armenia, Croatia, Latvia and Turkey.
It will be very tough for Wales to fill the huge void left by Gareth Bale following his retirement
The draw for Euro 2024 qualifying has thrown up several mouthwatering clashes, which is a welcome change from the seemingly endless England games against the likes of San Marino and Andorra during recent campaigns.
France and the Netherlands - who both crashed out on penalties to eventual World Cup winners Argentina in Qatar - face off this Friday in what is sure to be an enthralling clash, while England play Italy on Thursday in Naples.
A welcome quirk of the draw has also seen several weaker groups on paper potted together.
This provides opportunities for nations such as Finland, Romania and Norway to add to their limited number of appearances at European Championships.
