The Portuguese coach, Fernando Santos, said this Sunday that Portugal is “favorite” in Group J of qualifying for Euro 2024 soccer, in Germany, but he focused on the World Cup in Qatar, which starts in November.
“[Otimista?] Yes, clearly Portugal is the favourite, but let’s not think about that. Let’s think about the World Cup”, said the coach, in Frankfurt, moments after the draw that placed Portugal in Group J, with the teams of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Liechtenstein.
Santos, in addition, immediately considered the draw as “atypical”, since “at this point we would be discussing the subject of the European Championship and the qualifying matches, but we have the World Cup” and, therefore, “the focus has to be the World “.
“This is the first competition that we are going to play and not qualifying. [para o Europeu], as would be natural and normal. Now, the most important thing is the World Cup. I’m going to put this lottery in my suitcase and I’m going to forget about it. Only in January will I think of him”assured.
The Portuguese soccer team will face Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Liechtenstein in group J of the European qualifying phase for Euro 2024, the draw held in Frankfurt dictated today.
In addition to facing the Luxembourgers for the third time in a row in a qualifying phase (Euro2020 and World Cup 2022), Portugal will also face again two rivals with whom it crossed paths to Euro2012, the Bosnians and the Icelanders.
Slovakia (Euro 2000) and Liechtenstein (Euro 1996 and Euro 2000) are also ‘old acquaintances’, considering that they both faced the ‘corner’ team in previous qualifiers.
The top two of the 10 groups qualify directly for the Euro 2024 finals, joining hosts Germany, with the remaining three places decided via a play-off, to be played in March 2024. .
The European qualifying phase for the next UEFA European Championship will take place between March and November 2023, and the ‘play-off’ is scheduled for March 2024.
Euro 2024 will take place between June 14 and July 14, 2024 in Germany.
Source: TSF
