Johan Cruyff famously opined: “Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.”
It seems that constructing a simple qualification process may be even harder.
The 20 winners and runners-up from each of the ten qualifying groups will join hosts Germany at the 2024 European Championships next summer. Yet, that still leaves three free spots.
The powers that be at UEFA have concocted a baffling system, incorporating results from the Nations League – remember that? – to decide the final three teams via a play-off series next year.
Here’s everything you…
