February 7 – The journey to the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship has officially begun, with the qualifying group stage draw setting the path for 51 nations aiming to join co-hosts Albania and Serbia at the finals.
Matches are scheduled between March 2025 and October 2026, with the qualification campaign determining ten direct entrants to the tournament, while another eight teams will battle through play-offs in November 2026 for the remaining four spots.
The nine group winners, along with the best runner-up (excluding results against sixth-placed teams), will qualify directly for the final tournament.
The eight remaining runners-up will compete in play-offs to determine the last four spots. With Albania and Serbia already assured of their places as co-hosts, competition for qualification will be fierce as Europe’s rising stars fight for a place in the tournament.
Thursday’s draw result decided that Spain would headline Group A, facing Romania, Finland, Kosovo, Cyprus, and San Marino.
Portugal leads Group B alongside Czechia, Bulgaria, Scotland, Azerbaijan, and Gibraltar.
Group C sees France take on Switzerland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, and Estonia. England finds itself in Group D, battling the Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Andorra.
Italy, Poland, Sweden, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Armenia make up Group E, while Germany leads Group F, competing against Georgia, Greece, Northern Ireland, Latvia, and Malta.
The Netherlands top Group G, facing Norway, Slovenia, Israel, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Group H features Ukraine, Croatia, Hungary, Türkiye, and Lithuania, while Group I consists of Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Wales, and Belarus.
The draw process was based on UEFA’s coefficient rankings, with teams divided into six pots before being placed into nine groups. Six groups contain six teams, while the remaining three feature five.
With a combination of European powerhouses, emerging talents, and potential dark horses, this qualification campaign promises to be an exciting showcase of the continent’s best young footballing talent.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1738950320labto1738950320ofdlr1738950320owedi1738950320sni@g1738950320niwe.1738950320yrrah1738950320