Euro 2024 tiebreak rules: How groups are decided and qualification for knockouts works with level points

Euro 2024 began on June 14 when tournament hosts Germany faced Scotland in Munich. That game kickstarted a month-long football extravaganza, as 24 teams vie for glory and a path to the final in Berlin on July 14th.

However, the first step for every team dreaming of European glory is to get out of the group stages, with six groups of four teams battling it out. The top two teams from each group will qualify automatically for the Round of 16, with the best four third-placed teams also making the first knockout phase.

But what happens if teams finish level tied on points at the end of the group stage, and how will tiebreakers at the tournament work? Here, The Sporting News finds out.

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How Euro 2024 groups are decided in the event of a tie

In the event that two or more teams finish with the same number of points in the group stage of Euro 2024, UEFA have already defined tiebreaker rules to decide the situation, as per their tournament guidelines.

The qualifier will be decided on the below criteria, with number one being the first used and then others following in order if the tie remains:

1. Higher number of points obtained in the head-to-head matches played between the teams in question.
    
2. Superior goal difference resulting from the head-to-head matches played between the teams in question.
    
3. Higher number of goals scored in the head-to-head matches played between the teams in question.
    
4. If, after having applied criteria 1 to 3, teams still have an equal ranking, criteria 1 to 3 are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams who are still level to determine their final rankings. If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria 5 to 10 will apply.
    
5. Superior goal difference in all group matches.
    
6. Higher number of goals scored in all group matches.
    
7. If on the last round of the group stage, two teams who are facing each other are tied in points, goal difference and goals scored then they drew their match, their ranking is determined by a penalty shootout. (This criterion is not used if more than two teams had the same number of points.)
    
8. Lower disciplinary points total in all group matches (1 point for a single yellow card, 3 points for a red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for a direct red card, 4 points for a yellow card followed by a direct red card.)
    
9. Higher position in the European Qualifiers overall ranking, unless the comparison involves hosts Germany, in which case a drawing of lots will take place.

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Euro 2024 groups

A total of 24 teams are taking part in Euro 2024, split into six groups of four teams. They are:

Euro 2024 knockout schedule

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

What time are Euro 2024 matches? Kickoff for games around the world

Matches at Euro 2024 will kick off in one of three time slots: 3 p.m., 6 p.m., or 9 p.m. local CEST.

In the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals, there will be two match slots, at 6 p.m. CEST or 9 p.m. CEST. The semifinals and final will all be played at 9 p.m. CEST.

Here is how those times translate to some of the major global territories:

*Following day