England Eye Euros Glory as Squad Limit Expands: Can They Finally Bring It Home?

The Euro 2024 contenders are in, and England fans have reason to be optimistic! With the highly anticipated tournament kicking off this summer in Germany, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are looking to rewrite their near-miss story from Euro 2020. Remember that gut-wrenching final against Italy at Wembley? The lead snatched away by veteran Leonardo Bonucci, followed by the penalty heartbreak for Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, and Bukayo Saka? They’ll be hungry to erase those memories.

But England aren’t the only ones with a score to settle. Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick heroics couldn’t quite propel France to World Cup glory in Qatar last year. Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez, the penalty shootout savior, will be their biggest rivals. France also carries the weight of their Euro 2016 defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Talk about redemption arcs!

The opening match on June 14th will see Germany take on Scotland, officially kicking off a month-long football spectacle. The final whistle will blow on July 14th, leaving us with a new European champion.

Here’s a breakdown of the bookies’ favorites:

• England (20%) – Can Southgate finally lead his young squad to glory with the expanded 26-man roster?
• France (19%) – Mbappé’s hunger for international success is undeniable.
• Germany (11%) – Playing at home gives them a natural advantage.
• Spain & Portugal (11% & 10%) – Both perennial powerhouses with a point to prove.
• Belgium, Netherlands, Italy (6%, 5%, 5%) – Dark horses with the potential to upset the big boys.

The increased squad size is a welcome change for coaches like Southgate, offering more tactical flexibility and depth. England’s journey begins on June 16th against Serbia. Buckle up, football fans, this Euro 2024 promises to be a thriller!