After the World Cup, the two biggest tournaments in football are the European Championships (better known as the Euros) and the Copa America, so fans are in for a treat as the 2024 editions of both are set to run simultaneously over the next month.

The Euros kick things off on Friday 14 June, when host nation Germany entertain Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Munich, one of 10 stadiums selected for participation.

The Copa America competition begins 6 days later on 20 June, when holders and favourites Argentina set out to defend their title in a game against Canada in Atlanta, Georgia, which is one of 14 stadiums being used in 12 different cities of the host country, the United States.

The 14th of July is going to be a monumental day in the footballing calendar, as each of these great events reach their climax with their respective finals both taking place on that day, albeit with their kick-offs six hours and nearly 5,000 miles apart.

Italy have tough task to retain title

A finals tournament for the Euros is a relatively new concept, certainly when compared to the World Cup at least, with the first time multiple teams being split into groups occurring as recently as 1980.

Due to the Covid outbreak, the 2020 competition was held over into 2021 and it took a penalty shoot-out for Italy to overcome England, at Wembley Stadium.

The Italians have a tough ask to repeat their success of three years ago however, having been drawn in a highly competitive group, alongside Spain, Croatia and an Albanian side who provide their opening opposition, on Saturday 15th in Dortmund.

English hopes

 England of course will be desperate to go one better and they get their tournament under way the following day in Gelsenkirchen, with a match against Serbia.

With the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden all coming into the event on the back of outstanding club seasons, they will be hoping to not only progress out of their group, which also includes Denmark and Slovenia, but go all way and lift the trophy. 

Several strong contenders

Kylian Mbappe – fresh from joining Champions League winners Real Madrid – and his French teammates are the bookmakers favourites to push the English the closest. They will have to battle past the Netherlands, Austria and Poland to reach the knock-out stages.

Tournament football often brings the best out of the Germans and on home turf they are expected to go deep into the competition.

The other side generating a lot of interest is a resurgent Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo still hungry for more success despite his advancing years. The 39-year-old is set to feature in his sixth Euros, extending the record he already holds. They are in a group with Czechia, Georgia, and Turkey.

Could be luck of the draw

Essentially, it is the top two teams from each of the six, four-team groups, who will move forward to the round of 16. They will be joined by four of the six third-placed finishers, who will be determined in a ranking system which will take into account: points; goal difference; goals scored; wins; lower disciplinary points total; and European Qualifiers overall ranking.

If the host country, Germany find themselves involved in this scenario, then it will have to resort to the drawing of lots – not something anybody would wish for.

As always in any straight knockout format, extra-time and penalties if necessary, will decide outcomes, culminating in the final to be played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Copa America dates back to early 20th century

By contrast to the Euros, this will be the 48th Copa America soccer tournament, dating back to 1916, with current holders Argentina and Uruguay each having been champions on 15 occasions.

There are fierce rivalries between many of the competing nations, built over long periods and as such, the games are always highly charged, often emotional occasions and the 2024 edition is sure to follow the same pattern.

Looking to match the Spaniards

The Argentinians are of course World Champions too, following their 2022 success in Qatar and here they will be attempting to match a feat achieved by Spain between 2008 and 2012, when they sandwiched a World Cup success between two continental crowns.

Star man Lionel Messi turns 37 just four days after his country launches the event, and the fact that the final is scheduled for his new home city of Miami, just gives it that extra spice.

Brazil out of sorts

The Brazilians have been having a difficult time recently, but will be desperate to wrestle South American dominance back from their big rivals.

Star man Neymar is out injured, so much will rest on the shoulders of Vinicius Junior. On paper their group looks relatively straightforward, beginning with a match against Costa Rica.

Challenge could come from elsewhere

Colombia and Paraguay are their other opponents and the Colombians are in the middle of a fantastic run at the moment and will certainly be a team to watch.

It might emerge however, that it is Uruguay who are the biggest threat to the reigning champions. Under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa they have established a more proactive style of play and look a very dangerous outfit, with Darwin Nunez, Fede Valverde and Ronald Araujo all displaying world class form,

Don’t write off the US

This tournament has a habit of throwing up surprises and one of those could be Ecuador, who have shown great form over the past 18 months and will be worth keeping an eye on.

They are in a group with Venezuela, Mexico and the only representative from the Caribbean, Jamaica, who are the Uruguayans opening opponents on 22 June, in Houston.

It would be foolish to completely rule out the US, simply because of their home advantage, although to be fair they are a rapidly improving team anyway. Many are tipping them for a semi-final berth.

It will all build towards a final at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 14 July, to round of not just a great day of tournament football, but an entire month of the beautiful game.