The summer of soccer is here

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A jam-packed stretch of international soccer kicks off Friday when host Germany opens Euro 2024 against Scotland. Another continental championship begins next Thursday when Canada faces World Cup champion Argentina in the Copa America opener in Atlanta. And the Olympic men's and women's tournaments start next month in Paris.

Here's a quick look at the big soccer events coming up:

European Championship (June 14-July 14)

Like the World Cup, soccer's second-biggest men's international tournament normally happens every four years. But Euro 2020 got bumped to 2021 because of the pandemic. Italy won a penalty shootout against England in the final at Wembley Stadium, denying the English their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

Italy hasn't been the same since. The Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after losing a playoff to tiny North Macedonia, and they remain in rebuilding mode heading into a tough Euro group that includes Spain and Croatia.

England has another good chance to end its title drought. Led by stars Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, the Three Lions are the betting co-favourites along with France, which won the World Cup in 2018 and made the final in '22. Host Germany, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Spain are the other teams with a decent shot at winning the tournament, according to the betting markets.

Ukraine is a sentimental favourite after qualifying despite being unable to play home games amid Russia's military invasion. While they're a very long shot to win the tournament, Ukraine has a pretty good chance to advance to