Euro 2020 qualifiers - a guide to all key opening matches

3 years ago we saw Portugal crowned as Champions of Euro 2016 as they triumphed against the host nation France in the Final in Paris. Eder's Extra time strike saw Portugal lift the trophy with a 1-0 victory. Now, we are back, as all the European Nations dream of participating in the prestigious European tournament.

There are 10 groups of 5 or 6 teams with the top two teams progressing to the final stages in June 2020. The remaining 4 teams will be made up the highest ranked teams not to have qualified for the tournament from each Nations League division. Therefore, in total 24 teams will compete in the competition, which for the first time is not being held in one single country. 12 teams will host matches in the competition, which takes place from the 12th June to the 12th July 2020. The Semi-Finals and Final will be held in London, at Wembley Stadium.

The action begins on Thursday, with the Netherlands, Croatia and Belgium all kicking off their campaigns. 

The Netherlands, rejuvenated under Ronald Koeman, begin their campaign with a new generation that has taken them to the Semi-Finals of the Nations League. They begin against Belarus in Group C, which also contains 2016 Semi-Finalists, Germany. Joachim Loew has been heavily criticized for his decision to omit World Cup winners Thomas Mueller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels. 

The match between Northern Ireland and Estonia completes the opening round of Group C. 

Croatia are also in action. The old guard of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic will lead the World Cup runners-up into their match against Azerbaijan. The Balkan side go into the qualifiers as clear favourites to qualify, in a group that also contains Slovakia, Hungary and Wales. 

Belgium, less than a year since their best ever World Cup performance, start against 2018 World Cup hosts Russia. They are the two favourites to qualify, with Kazakhstan, Scotland, Cyprus and San Marino. 

Poland are in Group G and will go up against Austria, whilst Macedonia take on Lithuania. Isreal and Slovenia round of the group.

England, France and holders, Portugal get up and running on Friday.

England, Semi-Finalists for the first time since 1990 at last years World Cup, are without John Stones, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabian Delph. However, Gareth Southgate has been able to select young Premier League stars James Ward-Prowse, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Declan Rice. England begin at Wembley, the destination for the final next year, against the Czech Republic, with Montenegro, Bulgaria and newbies, Kosovo completing Group A.

Portugal, who welcome back Cristiano Ronaldo, will begin their title defense against Ukraine, with Luxembourg, Lithuania and Serbia the remaing teams in Group B.

World Champions France will begin proceedings against Moldova. Didier Deschamps' men will continue to be led from the front by World Superstars Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. Iceland will play Andorra, whilst Albania and Turkey are also in Group H. 

Spain and Italy will also begin their campaigns this weekend. 

Luis Enrique has called in a whole new crop of Spanish talent, with Jaime Mata, Sergio Canales, Sergi Gomez, Jesus Navas, Iker Munian, Juan Bernat and Dani Parejo all feature in a squad that still contains Isco, Thiago and Koke. Spain are in Group H and will begin against Norway, with Malta, Sweden, Romania and the Faroe Islands all vying for a 2020 Euros spot.

Roberto Mancini has recalled the veteran forward Fabio Quagliarella for the Azzurri. The top goalscorer in Serie A will no doubt be called upon in the abscence of Mario Balotelli to start against Finland. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, Liechtenstein and Greece make up the rest of Group J.

Switzerland, Denmark, Georgia, Gibraltar and the Republic of Ireland, who are without forward Shane Long make up Group D.