2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

Last updated
2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification
Tournament details
Dates5 June 2025 – 6 October 2026
Teams51 (from 1 confederation)
Tournament statistics
Matches played45
Goals scored142 (3.16 per match)
Attendance92,398 (2,053 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Finland.svg Adrian Svanbäck
Flag of Scotland.svg Emilio Lawrence
(4 goals)
2025
2029
All statistics correct as of 10 October 2025.

The 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying competition is a men's under-21 football competition to determine the 14 teams that would be joining the automatically qualified co-hosts Albania and Serbia in the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final tournament.

Contents

51 UEFA member national teams will enter the qualifying competition. Players born on or after 1 January 2004 are eligible to participate.

Two teams are not taking part in this tournament: Russia was suspended on 28 February 2022 by FIFA and UEFA from all competitions due to its invasion of Ukraine, [1] [2] while the Liechtenstein team has been temporarily dissolved based on a decision announced on 5 October 2022. [3]

Format

The qualifying competition consisted of the following two rounds:

Tiebreakers

In the qualifying group stage, teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria were applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings (Regulations Article 14.01): [4]

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams.
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Away goals scored in all group matches;
  8. Wins in all group matches;
  9. Away wins in all group matches;
  10. Disciplinary points total based only on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all group matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
  11. Position in the UEFA men's Under-21 national team coefficient rankings used for the qualifying group stage draw.

To determine the best runner-up from the qualifying group stage, the results against the teams in sixth place are discarded. The following criteria are applied (Regulations Article 15.02): [4]

  1. Points;
  2. Goal difference;
  3. Goals scored;
  4. Away goals scored;
  5. Wins;
  6. Away wins;
  7. Disciplinary points;
  8. UEFA coefficient ranking for the qualifying group stage draw.

Schedule

StageDraw dateFIFA International Dates
Qualifying group stage6 February 2025 [5] Matchday 1 (5–10 June 2025)
Matchday 2 (4–5 September 2025)
Matchday 3 (8–9 September 2025)
Matchday 4 (9–10 October 2025)
Matchday 5 (13–14 October 2025)
Matchday 6 (13–15 November 2025)
Matchday 7 (17–18 November 2025)
Matchday 8 (26–27 March 2026)
Matchday 9 (30–31 March 2026)
Matchday 10 (24–26 September 2026)
Matchday 11 (28 September – 1 October 2026)
Matchday 12 (5–6 October 2026)
Play-offsTBA1st and 2nd legs (9–17 November 2026)

    Qualifying group stage

    Draw

    Final tournament co-hosts
    Team
    Flag of Albania.svg  Albania
    Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia
    Pot A
    Team
    Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
    Flag of England.svg  England
    Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal
    Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
    Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
    Flag of France.svg  France
    Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
    Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
    Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
    Pot B
    Team
    Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
    Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
    Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
    Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic
    Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
    Flag of Norway.svg  Norway
    Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
    Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
    Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland
    Pot C
    Team
    Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia
    Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
    Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
    Flag of Austria.svg  Austria
    Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia
    Flag of Greece.svg  Greece
    Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland
    Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
    Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
    Pot D
    Team
    Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
    Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
    Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
    Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia
    Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
    Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo
    Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
    Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands
    Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova
    Pot E
    Team
    Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus
    Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro
    Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus
    Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
    Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania
    Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan
    Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan
    Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg
    Pot F
    Team
    Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia
    Flag of Malta.svg  Malta
    Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia
    Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra
    Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar
    Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino

    Each group contained one team from each of Pots A–F (Pots A–E for a five-team group). Based on the previous decisions taken by the UEFA Executive Committee and the UEFA Emergency Panel, four pairs of teams were not drawn in the same group.

    Groups

    Group A

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Finland.svgFlag of Spain.svgFlag of Romania.svgFlag of Kosovo.svgFlag of Cyprus.svgFlag of San Marino.svg
    1Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 2200120+126 Final tournament 25 Sep '26 14 Nov 18 Nov 31 Mar '26 7–0
    2Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 220061+56 Play-offs 14 Oct 6 Oct '26 31 Mar '26 3–0 14 Nov
    3Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 211020+24 30 Sep '26 18 Nov 0–0 14 Oct 31 Mar '26
    4Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 20111321 6 Oct '26 1–3 27 Mar '26 30 Sep '26 14 Oct
    5Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 20020880 0–5 27 Mar '26 25 Sep '26 14 Nov 6 Oct '26
    6Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino 20020990 26 Mar '26 30 Sep '26 0–2 25 Sep '26 18 Nov
    Updated to match(es) played on 9 September 2025. Source: UEFA

    Group B

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Portugal (official).svgFlag of the Czech Republic.svgFlag of Bulgaria.svgFlag of Scotland.svgFlag of Azerbaijan.svgFlag of Gibraltar.svg
    1Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal 3300100+109 Final tournament 6 Oct '26 3–0 31 Mar '26 5–0 30 Sep '26
    2Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 330091+89 Play-offs 18 Nov 30 Sep '26 2–0 5–0 31 Mar '26
    3Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 31114404 25 Sep '26 14 Oct 6 Oct '26 31 Mar '26 3–0
    4Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 3102124+83 0–2 27 Mar '26 18 Nov 30 Sep '26 12–0
    5Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 3012111101 27 Mar '26 25 Sep '26 1–1 14 Oct 6 Oct '26
    6Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar 3003117160 30 Sep '26 1–2 26 Mar '26 25 Sep '26 18 Nov
    Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2025. Source: UEFA

    Group C

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of the Faroe Islands.svgFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svgFlag of France.svgFlag of Iceland.svgFlag of Estonia.svgFlag of Luxembourg.svg
    1Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 43015839 Final tournament 14 Oct 0–6 6 Oct '26 2–1 30 Sep '26
    2Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 211020+24 Play-offs 27 Mar '26 14 Nov 0–0 31 Mar '26 25 Sep '26
    3Flag of France.svg  France 110060+63 17 Nov 6 Oct '26 30 Mar '26 13 Oct 3 Oct '26
    4Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 30212312 1–2 29 Sep '26 25 Sep '26 26 Mar '26 14 Oct
    5Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 40224732 25 Sep '26 0–2 29 Sep '26 1–1 2–2
    6Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 20112311 0–1 25 Sep '26 26 Mar '26 13 Nov 6 Oct '26
    Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2025. Source: UEFA

    Group D

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Slovakia.svgFlag of Ireland.svgFlag of England.svgFlag of Kazakhstan.svgFlag of Moldova.svgFlag of Andorra.svg
    1Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 321084+47 Final tournament 25 Sep '26 18 Nov 13 Nov 14 Oct 3–0
    2Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland 321053+27 Play-offs 2–2 6 Oct '26 29 Sep '26 26 Mar '26 1–0
    3Flag of England.svg  England 220060+66 2 Oct '26 14 Nov 25 Sep '26 31 Mar '26 13 Oct
    4Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 31021323 27 Mar '26 31 Mar '26 0–2 17 Nov 1–0
    5Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 41036933 2–3 1–2 0–4 6 Oct '26 3–0
    6Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 51041873 6 Oct '26 18 Nov 27 Mar '26 1–0 2 Oct '26
    Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2025. Source: UEFA

    Group E

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Poland.svgFlag of Italy.svgFlag of Montenegro.svgFlag of Sweden.svgFlag of North Macedonia.svgFlag of Armenia.svg
    1Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 330090+99 Final tournament 14 Nov 2–0 30 Sep '26 3–0 27 Mar '26
    2Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 330071+69 Play-offs 5 Oct '26 2–1 4–0 26 Mar '26 14 Oct
    3Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 31023413 31 Mar '26 18 Nov 2–0 14 Nov 5 Oct '26
    4Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 31023633 14 Oct 31 Mar '26 27 Mar '26 5 Oct '26 3–0
    5Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 31022533 18 Nov 0–1 30 Sep '26 13 Nov 2–1
    6Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 30031980 0–4 30 Sep '26 14 Nov 18 Nov 31 Mar '26
    Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2025. Source: UEFA

    Group F

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Greece.svgUlster Banner.svgFlag of Germany.svgFlag of Georgia.svgFlag of Latvia.svgFlag of Malta.svg
    1Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 220082+66 Final tournament 18 Nov 31 Mar '26 14 Nov 1 Oct '26 27 Mar '26
    2Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 211031+24 Play-offs 6 Oct '26 14 Oct 1 Oct '26 13 Nov 2–0
    3Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 210173+43 2–3 27 Mar '26 6 Oct '26 5–0 14 Nov
    4Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 20202202 26 Sep '26 1–1 18 Nov 27 Mar '26 31 Mar '26
    5Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 20111651 14 Oct 31 Mar '26 26 Sep '26 1–1 6 Oct '26
    6Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 20020770 0–5 26 Sep '26 30 Sep '26 14 Oct 18 Nov
    Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2025. Source: UEFA

    Group G

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Norway.svgFlag of Israel.svgFlag of the Netherlands.svgFlag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svgFlag of Slovenia.svg
    1Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 110050+53 Final tournament 14 Nov 27 Mar '26 29 Sep '26 5–0
    2Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 30303303 Play-offs 6 Oct '26 18 Nov 31 Mar '26 1–1
    3Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 20202202 25 Sep '26 2–2 6 Oct '26 14 Nov
    4Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 20200002 18 Nov 0–0 0–0 27 Mar '26
    5Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 20111651 31 Mar '26 29 Sep '26 2 Oct '26 14 Oct
    Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2025. Source: UEFA

    Group H

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Ukraine.svgFlag of Turkey.svgFlag of Hungary.svgFlag of Croatia.svgFlag of Lithuania.svg
    1Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 211073+44 Final tournament 26 Sep '26 3–3 2 Oct '26 27 Mar '26
    2Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 211031+24 Play-offs 14 Nov 6 Oct '26 1–1 2–0
    3Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 20204402 31 Mar '26 14 Oct 18 Nov 1 Oct '26
    4Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 10101101 14 Oct 31 Mar '26 26 Sep '26 13 Nov
    5Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 30121761 0–4 18 Nov 1–1 6 Oct '26
    Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2025. Source: UEFA

    Group I

    PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Belgium (civil).svgFlag of Denmark.svgFlag of Austria.svgFlag of Belarus.svgFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg
    1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 211081+74 Final tournament 14 Oct 27 Mar '26 24 Sep '26 28 Sep '26
    2Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 211073+44 Play-offs 6 Oct '26 1–1 28 Sep '26 31 Mar '26
    3Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 211043+14 14 Nov 2 Oct '26 31 Mar '26 14 Oct
    4Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 20113411 1–1 18 Nov 2–3 14 Nov
    5Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 2002213110 0–7 2–6 6 Oct '26 27 Mar '26
    Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2025. Source: UEFA

    Ranking of second-placed teams

    Only the results of the second-placed teams against the first, third, fourth and fifth-placed teams in their group are taken into account, while results against the sixth-placed team in six-team groups are not included. As a result, eight matches played by each second-placed team are counted for the purposes of determining the ranking. The top-ranked team will qualify directly for the final tournament, while the other teams enter the play-offs.

    Play-offs

    Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
    TBDTBD
    TBDTBD
    TBDTBD
    TBDTBD

    Qualified teams

    Note: All appearance statistics include only U-21 era (since 1978).

    TeamMethod of qualificationDate of qualificationAppearanceLast appearancePrevious best performance
    Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Co-hosts4 February 20256th (12th incl.Yugoslavia ) 2019 Final (2007)
    Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 2nd 1984 Quarterfinals (1984)

    Top goalscorers

    There have been 203 goals scored in 64 matches, for an average of 3.17 goals per match (as of 10 October 2025).

    4 goals

    3 goals

    References

    1. "FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions". FIFA . 28 February 2022.
    2. "FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions". UEFA. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
    3. "Nächste U21 EM-Qualifikation ohne Liechtenstein". www.lfv.li (in German). 2022-10-05.
    4. 1 2 "Regulations of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship". UEFA. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
    5. "2025-27 Under-21 qualifying draw". UEFA . 6 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-09.