Introduction

Pictured: The UEFA European Football Championship, often just called the Euros, is a premier tournament of international football. It is held every four years and provides for a powerful crop of talent from across Europe, battling it out for ultimate supremacy. That being said, Euro 2024 has sparked a lot of debate and controversy and mainly for many, this is the worst format ever in the competition. Right now, we are taking a look at why that criticism is so justified, what is wrong with Euro 2024.

Format Overview

Unlike previous issues, Euro 2024 features a redefined format. There are 24 teams in the competition, split into six groups of four. The move away from the 16-team format that was in place for many years has been a sore spot from the start, with detractors arguing (correctly) it watered down the quality of the field.

Fixture Congestion

The fixture list is one of the main criticisms levelled at Euro 2024 format. Because 24 teams are involved this year, more games, crammed into a more compressed tournament schedule. Such a compact schedule doesn’t only exhaust players but it also leads to worse football, with teams not able to recover as well between matches.

Lack of Competitive Balance

Critics have accused the enlarged format of Euro 2024 of watering down the competitive balance of the tournament. The more the number of teams the more are the odds of weaker sides qualifying into the knockout stage. He was, however, prepared to acknowledge that it was not perfect and admitted that “this effect is to weaken and undermines the quality of the games and the drama and excitement that we all expect of the European Championship.

Group Stage Predictability

Previous editions of the Euros have seen some strange old goings on in the group stage, with giant killings (uh, France vs Senegal?), and plucky underdog stories (Portland Timbers Super Athletic Allocations-only-need-apply FC beat France, and more importantly Spain?!). However, the increased number of teams at Euro 2024 has raised fears that the group stage could become a tame affair with the big guns cruising through to the knockout phase with little fuss.

Impact on Host Nations

Germany will be the main host in the multiple-country Euro 2024. Some question if the multi-country concept of the tournament adds to or detracts from the occasion and will weaken the unique buzz that comes from hosting a major international competition (and Euro 2020 was a pan-Europe affair, too).

What is Commercialisation and Reasons for it-(English)||Commercial and Profit Oriented-||(COMMERCE)||

The choice to widen the reach of Euro 2024 has been widely understood to suit commercial and profit interests rather than the good of the game. The more teams it includes, the more broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, and tickets it sells. But along the way, the quality and integrity of the tournament has been sacrificed for revenue generation.

Fan Experience

Of all the things sacrificed in the set-up for Euro 2024, the fan experience has to be the leading victim. Matches are already being played in many countries and in many venues, which was bound to create logistical issues for fans who have to hack through travel times, with added costs and complexities. Additionally, switching the tournament around removes some of the excitement and build up from having everything in one country.

Impact on Player Welfare

A busier calendar forEuro 2024, packed with extra matches in a condensed period, has led to welfare concerns for the players. The top level already puts a toll from a physical standpoint invariably on footballers, and so adding more games in the tournament could eventually lead to more injuries or injuries concerning tiredness. This affects the standard of football that is on show, and also begs the question whether commercial interests are being put above player welfare.

Conclusion

Finally as a summary the Euro 2024 format is heavily criticized for good reasons. The tournament’s format is in many ways its worst ever, whether that be because the new and expanded competition increases the pressure on congested fixture schedules or reduces competitive balance or because player welfare and the further commercialisation of the sport have played far too little a part in the decision-making that led to it. The Euros are one of the greats occasions on the football calendar, but any potential future editions must make sure that the integrity and the quality of competition is prioritized over commercial interest and the desire of profit. In any other case, the tournament will not be able to regain its accolade as one of the best leagues made in the history of international football.