The UEFA Euro 2028 qualifiers commenced on March 21, 2025, marking the beginning of Europe’s premier international football competition. This qualifying phase features 54 national teams competing for 23 spots in the tournament, with Germany having secured automatic qualification as hosts.
Group A: England’s Commanding Start
England began their campaign with a decisive 4-0 victory over North Macedonia at Wembley Stadium. Harry Kane led the charge, netting two goals, while Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden each added to the tally. This dominant performance underscores England’s intent to secure their place in Euro 2028, despite being co-hosts.
Group B: France Edges Past Greece
France secured a narrow 1-0 win against Greece in Athens. Kylian Mbappé’s first-half goal proved decisive, reflecting Les Bleus’ resilience in a challenging away fixture.
Group C: Italy Triumphs Over Ukraine
Italy showcased their attacking prowess with a 3-1 victory against Ukraine in Naples. Federico Chiesa scored twice, and Lorenzo Insigne added a third, reinforcing Italy’s ambitions to defend their European title.
Group D: Spain Overcomes Norway
Spain began their qualifying journey with a 3-0 win over Norway in Oslo. Goals from Álvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, and Dani Olmo highlighted Spain’s offensive strength.
Group E: Belgium’s Narrow Victory
Belgium faced a tough challenge against the Czech Republic but emerged victorious with a 2-1 win in Brussels. Romelu Lukaku’s brace secured the three points for the Red Devils.
Group F: Portugal’s Winning Start
Portugal commenced their qualifiers with a 2-0 win over Slovakia in Lisbon. Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix found the net, setting a positive tone for their campaign.
Group G: Netherlands Prevails Against Austria
The Netherlands secured a 2-1 victory over Austria in Amsterdam. Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong were the goal scorers, demonstrating the Dutch team’s depth and talent.
Group H: Germany’s Dominant Performance
Germany, already qualified as hosts, participated in the qualifiers to maintain competitive momentum. They showcased their strength with a 5-0 win over Finland in Munich. Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané each scored twice, with Kai Havertz adding another.
Group I: Switzerland’s Convincing Win
Switzerland began their campaign with a 4-1 victory against Romania in Bucharest. Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri were instrumental, each contributing to the scoreline.
Group J: Denmark’s Solid Start
Denmark secured a 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Copenhagen. Christian Eriksen’s playmaking abilities were on full display, assisting two of the goals.
The opening round of the UEFA Euro 2028 qualifiers has set the stage for an exciting journey to the tournament. Established footballing nations have asserted their dominance while emerging teams are eager to make their mark on Europe’s grandest stage.
