Euro 2024: Who will come out on top in Germany?

Anticipation is rising ahead of Euro 2024, with just three weeks until hosts Germany face Scotland in the opening game of the tournament. 

England boss Gareth Southgate named his preliminary 33-man squad for the tournament on Tuesday, with seven players set to be cut from the list following friendlies against Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the start of June.

The Three Lions go into the European Championships as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, but who else will have their eyes on glory?

Here, we take a look at five of the leading contenders to emerge victorious.

Germany 

The hosts have won the tournament three times but not since 1996, having most recently reached the final in 2008. Germany have been knocked out of each of the last two World Cups at the group stage – either side of a Last 16 defeat by England at Euro 2020 – and that has prompted some pundits to write them off for this summer’s tournament.

Nagelsmann has recently signed a new contract with the German national side

Julian Nagelsmann’s side have been in good form of late, though, defeating both France and the Netherlands in the most recent international break.

England

The Three Lions reached a first ever Euros final at the last tournament, before being defeated 2-1 by Italy at Wembley. Gareth Southgate is expected to leave his role following the tournament, and the ex-England player will be desperate to guide his country to a first ever European Championship title before doing so.

Gareth Southgate will hope his side can go one better than Euro 2020, when they lost against Italy in the final

Southgate can benefit from a vast array of attacking quality, but questions have been raised over England’s defensive capabilities, and it still remains to be seen who will join Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield.

Portugal 

The winners of Euro 2016 have emerged as one of the favourites to win the tournament this summer. Roberto Martinez is taking charge of the nation at a tournament for the first time, and he has plenty of talent all over the pitch at his disposal.

Ronaldo is set to represent his country at an 11th major tournament

The Spaniard has already named his final 26-man squad for this summer, and it includes several Premier League stars including Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, and Manchester City pair Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias. Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo is also set to appear at his 11th major tournament for his country.

France

The 2018 World Cup winners have been one of the dominant nations in world football over the past decade, having lost to Argentina in the final of the 2022 World Cup as they looked to defend their crown.

Mbappe has scored 46 goals in 77 games for France

Didier Deschamps remains in charge of Les Bleus who, in Kylian Mbappe, have arguably the best player in the world spearheading their attack. Veteran striker Olivier Giroud is also in the 25-man squad that has been named, alongside recalled midfielder N’Golo Kante.

Spain

Having won three consecutive major international tournaments between 2008 and 2012, Spain have since failed to reach a final at either a World Cup or European Championships. At Euro 2020 they were beaten on penalties by eventual winners Italy at the semi-final stage, and manager Luis de la Fuente will be desperate to guide his side to glory this summer.

Rodri is set to play a key role for Spain at this summer’s tournament

The squad has not yet been announced, but youngsters Lamine Yamal and Pedri are expected to be involved and could play key roles for the three-time winners this summer.