Best and worst case scenarios for England in Euro 2024 draw with Three Lions hoping to face minnows over group of death

England are anxiously awaiting their fate for the Euro 2024 group stage draw.

The Three Lions secured a spot in Pot 1 thanks to an unbeaten qualifying campaign but could still be drawn into a ‘Group of Death’.

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England will be among the top seeds for the tournament alongside hosts Germany, Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium.

However, Gareth Southgate‘s side can still find themselves facing some of the best teams on the continent.

talkSPORT.com runs through the best and worst-case scenarios for England as they start their journey to win the first major men’s trophy in 58 years.

England’s best possible Euros draw

The Three Lions have not endured the humiliation of a Euros exit in the group stage since 2000 when they were drawn with heavy-hitters Germany, Portugal and Romania.

They would hopefully continue that streak if they ended up with the kindest outcome when the balls are drawn in Hamburg this week.

Albania are the only nation ranked outside of the top 50 in Pot 2 at 59th and are competing at their second-ever Euros.

England have won all six of their matches against The Red and Blacks, beating them by an aggregate scoreline of 7-0 when the two teams faced in World Cup qualification two years ago.

Albania sealed a spot in Pot 2 after topping a favourable Group E qualification group that included no team ranked inside the top 30.

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Ironically, the depth in quality in Pot 3 means the best England can hope for is 54th-ranked Slovenia, five spots above Albania.

England are unbeaten in six matches against Slovenia, with the only draw coming in only Southgate’s second game as interim manager.

Southgate was thankful for the brilliance of goalkeeper Joe Hart to rescue a point in October 2016 but claimed a 1-0 victory during the return fixture a year later as permanent manager.

Despite this, Slovenia have only qualified for the finals once back in 2000, and have never won a European Championship match.

A best-case scenario for England would then be to see World No.98 Kazakhstan book their spot in Pot 4 by winning the playoffs.

The Hawks face a tough task to beat Greece and then emerge victorious over either Georgia or Luxembourg to secure qualification.

England’s possible Group of Death

Southgate has faced criticism during his time as manager that he has been handed easy draws at tournaments, with his England sides then coming unstuck when they face the elite.

However, that accusation couldn’t be levelled at him if England reach the knockout stages if this is what he ends up having to tackle.

Denmark would represent the toughest test in Pot 2, armed with Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen and Manchester United duo Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund.

The Three Lions needed extra time and a Harry Kane rebounded penalty to seal a 2-1 win on home soil in the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

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The Netherlands, who beat England in the 2019 Nations League semi-finals, could then be thrown into the mix, armed with Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo in their ranks.

Ronald Koeman’s side finished only behind World Cup finalists France in qualification and are ranked seventh.

The Dutch are one of only two European nations in the top nine to not be included in Pot 1 and horrendously England could be drawn against both.

Defending Euro champions Italy are in Pot 4 and could face a reunion with England, having finished behind them in qualifying.

The Azzurri beat England on penalties in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, but England gained revenge with successive victories in 2023.