Saturday, December 28, 2024

Euro 2025 play-offs: Wales, Scotland & NI look to qualify

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[Getty Images]

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are all two matches away from qualifying for Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

But to reach next summer’s tournament, the three teams must advance through the second round of play-off qualifiers.

Scotland take on Finland, Northern Ireland face Norway and Wales have been drawn against the Republic of Ireland.

The ties, which are played home and away over two legs, will be shown live on the BBC.

European champions England, who have already qualified for Euro 2025, will play friendlies against the United States and Switzerland during this month’s international break.

What are the Euro 2025 play-off fixtures?

With nine of the 16 spots for Euro 2025 already taken, there are play-offs to decide the remaining seven places.

There were two rounds of play-offs for qualification, with Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland all advancing through the first round.

Euro 2025 qualifying play-off second round ties

*Fifa world rankings in brackets

  • Portugal (22) v Czech Republic (28)

  • Scotland (23) v Finland (26)

  • Ukraine (35) v Belgium (20)

  • Wales (29) v Republic of Ireland (24)

  • Poland (32) v Austria (17)

  • Northern Ireland (45) v Norway (16)

  • Serbia (34) v Sweden (5)

All first-round ties to be played 28/29 November, with return legs on 3 December.

How to follow home nations’ Euro 2025 play-offs via the BBC

There will be live text commentary of the home nations’ Euro 2025 play-off games on the BBC Sport website and app, and all of their matches will also be shown live.

  • Scotland’s home match against Finland (19:35 GMT kick-off) at Easter Road on 29 November will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland, while their trip to Finland on 3 December (17:15 GMT) will be on BBC Alba.

  • Northern Ireland host Norway in the first leg on 29 November in Belfast (19:00 GMT), with the return leg in Oslo on 3 December (17:00 BST) – with both legs streamed live on the BBC Sport website and app.

How does Euro 2025 qualification work?

Euro 2025 will feature 16 nations and, as hosts, Switzerland qualified automatically for the competition.

Reigning champions England were among eight teams who booked their place during the group phase.

The remaining seven spots are being contested by 14 nations, whittled down from 28.

The first round of qualifying play-offs consisted of the League A nations that failed to qualify automatically, the League B countries who did not finish bottom of their group, the League C group winners, and the three best sides from League C that finished second in their group.

Azerbaijan, who finished bottom of their League B group, were also entered into the play-offs as the next best placed side because group winners Switzerland were already assured of their spot.

For the first round of play-offs, the eight sides from League A were drawn against the eight nations from League C. The 12 teams from League B were drawn alongside other League B nations.

The 14 losers in the first round of play-off qualifying were eliminated.

The 14 winners have advanced into the second play-off round.

Which nations have already qualified?

Millie Bright celebrates after England's match with SwedenMillie Bright celebrates after England's match with Sweden

England sealed qualification after a nervy goalless draw with Sweden in July [Getty Images]

For qualification for Euro 2025, all countries were split into three leagues based on their performance in the 2023-24 Nations League.

After being split into leagues, nations were then put in groups of either three or four.

All League A nations were guaranteed to reach at least the play-offs. The top two sides in each group directly advanced into the Euro 2025 group stages.

England finished second in their League A group behind France, with the duo joining Spain, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Germany and Iceland in next year’s tournament.

The eight League A sides and Switzerland are the only nations to have qualified so far.

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