National team: These are the chances of a mini-mini European Championship in Germany

Another summer with football tournament atmosphere in Germany? After the success of the German national team in the Nations League, it is no longer unrealistic that the DFB selection will be able to play for the title in the nations competition in their own country in June 2025. “That is definitely within the realm of possibility,” said national coach Julian Nagelsmann. However, some obstacles would have to be overcome on the way there.

The sporting challenge (chance: 50:50)

Germany has not yet qualified for the final tournament of the four best nations in the A-League. The DFB selection has already been confirmed as a quarter-finalist before the final group games on Saturday (8.45 p.m./RTL) in Freiburg against Bosnia-Herzegovina and three days later in Budapest against Hungary (8.45 p.m./ZDF). The group victory can be made clear as early as Friday.

The group winners will be drawn with a group runner-up on November 22nd for the knockout games (home and away) from March 20th to 25th. The current status: Group winners Germany would face Croatia, France or Denmark. As of now, the opponents as second in the group would be Spain, Portugal or Italy. The final tournament (June 4th to 8th) will always be held in a participating country.

“We are trying to qualify, that is the first step,” said Nagelsmann. The formula for this is simple: advance in March and the title will be at stake in the summer.

The sports policy challenge (chance: 40:60)

Now things get a little more complicated. According to the requirements of the European Football Union UEFA, all nations for which participation is possible, including Germany, had to apply as hosts. The decision rests with the umbrella association, most likely the UEFA Executive Committee, to which DFL Supervisory Board Chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke belongs, and in which the word of DFB President Bernd Neuendorf as a representative sent to the world association FIFA also carries weight.

The big question is how much interest the nations will have after the March games. Nagelsmann made it clear: “We would be very happy if we qualified and were then allowed to host the final tournament here.” The home European Championships in summer 2024 are also the best advertising. “We showed with a really great home European Championship that we can do it, that we are a good host for major sporting events,” said Nagelsmann.

UEFA decisions always follow considerations and agreements; no association should receive too many advantages. The Champions League final will be played in Munich almost a year after the European Championships and before the final tournament on May 31st. Portugal (2019) and Italy (2021) have already hosted the Four Nations finals.

It seems to be clear which cities Germany entered the race with. “It’s not quite as big an event as the home European Championships, but there will still be a few nice games at two locations in Germany, which I don’t think I can reveal yet,” said the national coach.