England's Euro 2024 campaign begins on June 16, 2024, against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, with manager Gareth Southgate facing defensive uncertainties. Key defender Harry Maguire was omitted from the squad due to a calf injury, while Luke Shaw remains doubtful with a hamstring issue, according to BBC Sport.
Southgate has experimented with a back four featuring John Stones and Marc Guéhi in central defense, with Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier as full-backs. The team conceded only one goal in their last five friendlies, but questions remain about their ability to handle Serbia's physical attack, led by Aleksandar Mitrović.
England are among the tournament favorites, having reached the final of Euro 2020 and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. However, their defensive record in major tournaments has been mixed, with clean sheets in only two of their last seven knockout matches.
