The road to Germany: Euro 2024 qualifying explained

And so the Nations League has drawn to close for the Republic of Ireland. Seven points from a possible 18, not what Stephen Kenny had in mind at the outset, and a clear indication that it was very much an up and down campaign for the Boys in Green. Thoughts, however, are now turning towards Euro 2024 in Germany.

Will Joxer be heading back to Stuttgart? Time will tell.

On Sunday 9 October, the qualifying draw will take place in Frankfurt at 11am Irish time.

As hosts, Germany are already qualified, and so that leaves 53 teams (Russia not involved) chasing the 23 spots available at the finals.

So how does qualification work?

The 53 teams will be split into ten groups - seven groups of five and three groups of six.

Each team is seeded based on their showing in the Nations League.

As winners of the respective groups in League A of the Nations League - Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, Italy - will contest the final of the competition next June and will be placed in a group of five. For the purpose of the draw the quartet are in the 'UEFA Nations League' pot.

The Republic of Ireland are in Pot 3 alongside Ukraine, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Albania, Montenegro, Romania, Sweden and Armenia

Pot 1 comprises: Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary, Switzerland, Poland.

There are a couple of big hitters in Pot 2: France, Austria, Czech Republic, England, Wales, Israel, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Scotland, Finland.

Pot 4: Georgia, Greece, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Faroe Islands, North Macedonia.

Pot 5: Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Belarus, Lithuania, Gibraltar, Estonia, Latvia, Moldova, Malta.

Pot 6: Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein.

So, I'm sure supporters will at the various pots and decide what the best