What is the UEFA Euro?
The UEFA European Championship — the Euro — is the continental championship of European national teams, played every four years since 1960 and second only to the World Cup in the men's international game. Spain won a record fourth title in Berlin in 2024; England hold the Women's Euro after Basel 2025.[1] [2]
How do teams qualify?
All 55 UEFA nations enter qualifying groups played across two years, with playoff routes through the Nations League; 24 teams reach the finals. Euro 2028 will be hosted by the United Kingdom and Ireland.[1]
Since when does it exist?
First played in 1960 as the European Nations' Cup, won by the Soviet Union in Paris; it has grown from four finalists to 24, and its 2020 edition (played 2021) was staged across eleven countries.[1] [3]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Spain | Germany — 2–1 vs England (Berlin) |
| 2020 (2021) | Italy | Pan-European — pens vs England (Wembley) |
| 2016 | Portugal | France — 1–0 vs France |
| 2012 | Spain | Poland / Ukraine — 4–0 vs Italy |
| 2008 | Spain | Austria / Switzerland — 1–0 vs Germany |
| 2004 | Greece | Portugal — 1–0 vs Portugal |
| 2000 | France | Belgium / Netherlands — 2–1 vs Italy |
| 1996 | Germany | England — 2–1 vs Czech Republic |
| 1992 | Denmark | Sweden — 2–0 vs Germany |
| 1988 | Netherlands | West Germany — 2–0 vs USSR |
Champions of the last ten editions.
Why does it matter?
With Europe's depth of talent, the Euro's field rivals the World Cup's — winning it, or simply being selected for it, marks a player among his country's elite.[1] [2]
References
- UEFA — European Championship official site. Accessed August 2026.
- UEFA — Women's Euro 2025. Accessed August 2026.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — European Championship. Accessed August 2026.