Having completed the qualification phase in first place in Group A, the Under-21 national team can now turn its attention to Slovakia 2025. Following the draw against Ireland, which sparked celebrations on the pitch of the Stadio Nereo Rocco stadium in Trieste, the Azzurrini are gearing up for the final tournament draw scheduled for Tuesday, 3 December, in Bratislava.
TRIESTE, ITALY - OCTOBER 15:Italian players celebrate the qualififier after the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 Qualifier match between Italy and Ireland at Stadio Nereo Rocco on October 15, 2024 in Trieste, Italy. (Photo by FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images
TRIESTE, ITALY - OCTOBER 15:Italian players celebrate the qualififier after the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 Qualifier match between Italy and Ireland at Stadio Nereo Rocco on October 15, 2024 in Trieste, Italy. (Photo by FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images
TRIESTE, ITALY - OCTOBER 15:Italian players celebrate the qualififier after the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 Qualifier match between Italy and Ireland at Stadio Nereo Rocco on October 15, 2024 in Trieste, Italy. (Photo by FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images

With the conclusion of the group stage, 13 of the 16 nations that will compete in the final phase from 11 to 28 June are known: Denmark, England (defending champions), France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia (host country), Slovenia, Spain, and Ukraine.

The remaining three qualified teams will emerge from the playoffs scheduled between 11 and 19 November, featuring the six lowest-ranked second-placed teams who will compete for the last three spots in home-and-away matches. The draw will take place on Thursday, 17 October, with Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Georgia, and Norway in the mix. Norway secured its place by defeating Ireland on the final matchday, where Ireland’s draw in Trieste against Italy proved insufficient.