Sporting Kansas City defender Botond Barath and forward Johnny Russell learned their potential group stage opponents at next summer’s UEFA Euro 2020 during the official tournament draw on Saturday in Bucharest, Romania.
The draw divided 24 teams into six groups of four and finalized the group stage schedule for the competition, which will unfold in 12 different cities across 12 different European countries between June 12 and July 12, 2020.
In order to punch their tickets to Euro 2020, Barath and Russell have one more major hurdle to clear. With 20 of 24 tournament berths already clinched, the final four spots will be awarded via the Euro 2020 Playoffs. Each playoff winner will have to win two single-elimination matches on March 26 and March 31 next spring.
Barath and Hungary will visit Bulgaria in their playoff semifinal at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. Should the Magyars win, they would host the winner between Iceland and Romania five days later. Russell and Scotland, meanwhile, will host Israel in their semifinal at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Should they prevail, they would visit either Norway or Serbia.
If Barath and Hungary emerge as playoff winners, they will be placed into Euro 2020’s unquestioned group of death. Group F consists of 2018 FIFA World Cup champion France, reigning Euro champion Portugal and 2014 FIFA World Cup champion Germany. These three world-class sides will be joined by either Hungary, Bulgaria, Iceland or Romania. Should Hungary reach the group stage, they will play their first two group stage games on home soil at the new, state-of-the-art Puskas Arena in Budapest before visiting Germany in Munich.
If Russell and Scotland win their playoff, they will slot into a formidable Group D alongside 2018 World Cup finalist Croatia, 2018 World Cup semifinalist England and the Czech Republic. Similarly, Scotland would play two group stage games on home soil at Hampden Park before visiting England in London.
Hungary: Potential Euro 2020 Group Stage Schedule (Group F)
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Opponent</strong> |
<strong>Stadium</strong> |
<strong>City</strong> |
June 16 |
Portugal |
Puskas Arena |
Budapest, Hungary |
June 20 |
France |
Puskas Arena |
Budapest, Hungary |
June 24 |
Germany |
Allianz Arena |
Munich, Germany |
Scotland: Potential Euro 2020 Group Stage Schedule (Group D)
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Opponent</strong> |
<strong>Stadium</strong> |
<strong>City</strong> |
June 15 |
Czech Republic |
Hampden Park |
Glasgow, Scotland |
June 19 |
England |
Wembley Stadium |
London, England |
June 23 |
Croatia |
Hampden Park |
Glasgow, Scotland |
The top two finishers in each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the tournament’s knockout rounds. The round of 16 (June 27-30) and quarterfinals (July 3-4) will see four teams advance to Wembley Stadium in London, which will host the semifinals (July 7-8) and final (July 12). All UEFA Euro 2020 matches will broadcast live in the United States on the ESPN family of networks and Univision.
