Serbia v England LIVE: Euro 2024 team news and line-ups as Alexander-Arnold and Guehi start Three Lions opener

England are taking on Serbia as their bid to win Euro 2024 begins in Gelsenkirchen tonight, ahead of further fixtures against Denmark and Slovenia.

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions come into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in a month’s time, and the manager has a raft of attacking talent to choose from after Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer all produced stellar seasons for their clubs.

But they face a potentially tricky test at the start of Group C against a Serbian side with plenty of talent in their ranks, like Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, Al Hilal duo Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Fenerbahce’s No10, Dusan Tadic.

Follow all the teams news, goals and latest updates from England vs Serbia below.

Serbia vs England – Euro 2024 LIVE

• England kick off Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia, at 8pm BST, live on BBC One

• Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to play in midfield with Declan Rice

• John Stones should be fit but left-back Luke Shaw remains a doubt

• England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane

Serbia – England

Line-ups

18:56 , Chris Wilson

ENGLAND XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Alexander-Arnold; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.

SUBS: Ramsdale, Henderson, Shaw, Dunk, Konsa, Gomez, Wharton, Mainoo, Gallagher, Eze, Toney, Gordon, Palmer, Bowen, Watkins.

Euro 2024 Group C guide: Fixtures, squads and star players to watch as England aim for glory

18:50 , Chris Wilson

Ahead of the line-ups being announced, here’s a guide to England’s group in Euro 2024.

England will attempt to go one better this time out in the European Championship than they managed three years ago on home soil, when they were beaten by Italy in the final. This time around Gareth Southgate has a much-changed squad and much-changed expectations on the team, as the Three Lions look to triumph at Euro 2024.

Before thoughts turn to the knockouts, though, they must navigate a solid-looking group stage. Alongside them will be Denmark, Slovenia and Iceland, each having real hopes of qualifying through the groups and each presenting different and difficult challenges to break them down in 90-minute encounters.

Euro 2024 Group C guide: Fixtures, squads and star players to watch

Gareth Southgate names England squad’s four-man ‘leadership group’ at Euro 2024

18:40 , Chris Wilson

Gareth Southgate has revealed young star Jude Bellingham is part of England’s new-look leadership group at Euro 2024.

The 20-year-old’s inexorable rise shows no signs of abating, with fine spells at boyhood team Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund followed by a dream start to life at Real Madrid.

Gareth Southgate names England squad’s four-man ‘leadership group’ at Euro 2024

Predicted starting line-ups

18:30 , Chris Wilson

England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.

Serbia (3-5-2): V Milinkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, S Milinkovic-Savic, Tadic, Lukic, Kostic; Mitrovic, Vlahovic.

Is England v Serbia on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 game online tonight

18:20 , Chris Wilson

Just over 90 minutes until kick-off in Gelsenkirchen. The match kicks-off at 8pm BST on Sunday, at the Arena AufSchalke (also known as the Veltins Arena), which is the home of Schalke.

The match will be broadcast live on BBC One, with the programme beginning at 7pm.

Licence fee payers can stream the match online via the BBC’s iPlayer app and website.

ITV’s highlights show is scheduled for 11.20pm on itv1, while BBC One will show a full replay of the game at 12.45am.

You can find a full list of which channel is showing each match here.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

England v Serbia: TV channel, start time and how to watch online tonight

Euro 2024 predictions: Winner, Golden Boot, breakout star and more

18:10 , Chris Wilson

Can England finally get over the line under Gareth Southgate, three years after losing the delayed Euro 2020 final to Italy at Wembley? And if so, will Harry Kane claim his second international Golden Boot?

Or will a younger star steal the spotlight, as clubs and coaches around Europe keep an eye out for the ‘next big thing’ in the summer transfer market?

Below, we predict the teams, players and moments that could define Euro 2024. Without further ado…

Euro 2024 predictions: Winner, Golden Boot, breakout star and more

England vs Serbia referee: Who is Euro 2024 official Daniele Orsato?

18:00 , Chris Wilson

Daniele Orsato will take charge of England’s opening game of Euro 2024against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night.

The experienced Italian official has taken charge of his last club game this season as he will retire from refereeing after this tournament.

The 48-year-old, a FIFA listed referee since 2010, burst into tears after refereeing his final Champions League game – the semi-final second-leg between PSG and Borussia Dortmund in May – and received a guard of honour from Atalanta and Fiorentina after his final Serie A match.

Orsato took charge of the 2020 Champions League final between PSG and Bayern Munich and was also the man in the middle for the Argentina-Croatia semi-final at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Croatia skipper Luka Modric later labelling the Italian’s display a “disaster.”

England vs Serbia referee: Who is Euro 2024 official Daniele Orsato?

Why Euro 2024 means more to Harry Kane – England’s unique soldier

17:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mere hours after Harry Kane knew he would be ending another club season without a trophy, Bayern Munich made him and the rest of the squad attend a banquet. It wasn’t what most would have chosen to do after the bitter Champions League semi-final elimination to Real Madrid, but it is a custom for the German club.

It wasn’t the only new thing Kane had to endure. Although he has obviously experienced trophy disappointment on many occasions, it has never been when success was so expected. Kane had made the hard choice to leave Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern, only to suddenly find success wasn’t coming easy for the perennial German champions. It did hit him. The striker still registered this most painful of seasons – as he put it himself – in the way he always does. He internalised it and persevered. It was why the banquet suited him more than most. It helped him “get on with it”, in the way he always does.

Why Euro 2024 means more to Harry Kane – England’s unique soldier

FA has ‘succession plan’ already in place for Gareth Southgate’s England exit

17:40 , Miguel Delaney

The Football Association haven’t yet spoken to any potential successors to Gareth Southgate, nor received any approaches for the England manager, but say a succession plan is in place.

The 53-year-old has strongly suggested he will leave the role after Euro 2024 unless the team wins the competition, and even that may not keep him in the job. The FA will still seek to review the tournament as a whole no matter what happens, and would naturally be keen to keep Southgate on. That is a sentiment shared by the squad.

FA has ‘succession plan’ already in place for Gareth Southgate’s England exit

England’s route to Euro 2024 final and possible knockout opponents

17:30 , Sonia Twigg

For the optimistic England fans out there, here’s a possible route to the final for Gareth Southgate’s side…

England’s route to Euro 2024 final and possible knockout opponents

John Stones ready to guide England to Euro 2024 glory after setbacks, surprises and near-misses

17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It has been a cruel few weeks for the senior players who have been the stalwarts of Gareth Southgate’s reign. They have been dropped and demoted, their feelings hurt sometimes while bodies have given way. John Stones had been a survivor of the Southgate cull, but there was a moment when it seemed he, too, would miss Euro 2024, as Richard Jolly explains.

John Stones ready to guide England to glory after setbacks, surprises and near-misses

Euro 2024: Full list of BBC and ITV pundits and commentators including Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane

17:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And here are the experts that viewers in the United Kingdom will enjoy it all in the company of.

Euro 2024: Full list of pundits, commentators and presenters on BBC and ITV

Euro 2024 fixtures: Schedule, dates and kick-off times at European Championship

17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Miguel will have plenty to get his head around over the next few weeks – it’s a busy old summer of Euros action!

Euro 2024 fixtures: Full schedule, dates and kick-off times

Reading the Game With Miguel Delaney

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Want top football insight in your inbox every Friday throughout the Euros? Simply subscribe to Reading the Game as our chief football writer Miguel Delaney makes sense of the chaotic world that is modern football, offering exclusive analysis of all of the action on and off the pitch. The details you need are here:

Subscribe to Reading The Game With Miguel Delaney newsletter

Serbia and England fans throw tables and chairs in violent mass brawl ahead of Euro 2024 opener

16:40 , Chris Wilson

Violent clashes have broken out between rival England and Serbia fans just hours before their opening game this evening at the Euros 2024.

Tables were thrown and glasses smashed during the carnage outside the Aleppo bar in central Gelsenkirchen, with one football supporter pictured with blood streaming down his face.

Dozens of Serbs were attacked with projectiles with 200 German riot police rushing to the scene to break up the large-scale brawl, which one witness described as “premeditated”.

An eyewitness told MailOnline: “There was a sudden burst of violence. It came out of nowhere.”

Serbia and England fans throw tables and chairs in brawl ahead of match

Kevin Campbell was football’s nice guy who lived Arsenal ‘dream’ and left lasting Everton legacy

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There was sad news yesterday with the passing of Kevin Campbell at the age of 54. The former Arsenal and Everton star never earned a full England cap, ending his career as the player with the most Premier League goals not to earn international honours, but that lack of recognition undersells a fantastic player and, by all accounts, a brilliant man. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Kevin Campbell was football’s nice guy who lived the ‘dream’

Serbia and England fans throw tables and chairs in brawl ahead of Euro 2024 match

16:30 , Holly Evans

Clashes have broken out between rival England and Serbia fans ahead their opening game this evening at the Euros 2024.

Dozens of Serbs were attacked with projectiles outside the Aleppo bar in central Gelsenkirchen.

One man, reportedly from Birmingham, was wounded in the head during the fight, according to the Mirror.

Serbia and England fans throw tables and chairs in brawl ahead of match

Euro 2024 kits: Every home and away shirt ranked and rated

16:20 , Lawrence Ostlere

Euro 2024 is upon us and with it comes a sartorial smorgasbord for us to enjoy, or be deeply offended by.

What have Croatia done this time? Have England pulled off a genuine gem? Why are Belgium wearing brown shorts? And which kit has won our highly coveted top spot?

Nike, Adidas, Puma, Macron, Joma and the good people at Hummel have dropped their designs so, without further ado, let’s get stuck in.

Ranked from the visually upsetting to the optically arousing, here is our list of Euro 2024 kits.

Euro 2024 kits: Every shirt ranked and rated

Harry Kane reveals impact of trophy drought on England’s Euro 2024 chances

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Harry Kane believes he has a different kind of aura after his prolific first season at Bayern Munich but said his inability to win his first trophy of his career gives him still more hunger to triumph in Euro 2024.

The England captain scored 44 goals in 45 appearances in his debut season for Bayern, earning the European Golden Shoe for finding the net 36 times in the Bundesliga.

And he feels he has got more respect now as a player who has flourished at one of the biggest clubs around, rather than just as the local boy who scored for Tottenham.

He explained: “I’d say from an outside point of view, I’m probably respected more as one of the top strikers in the world.

Harry Kane reveals impact of trophy drought on England’s Euro 2024 chances

From Jesse to Jude: Tracing the four stages of Gareth Southgate’s England evolution

16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This could well be the final tournament of Gareth Southgate’s successful stint as England manager. Lawrence Ostlere charts how the team – and Southgate himself – have evolved as they target a trophy to truly mark their transformation.

From Jesse to Jude: The four stages of Gareth Southgate’s England evolution

Phil Foden tipped for Euro 2024 player of the tournament by England teammate

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

John Stones has backed England and Manchester City team-mate Phil Foden to show the world how good he is at Euro 2024 and claims he could win player of the tournament in the process.

Foden heads to Germany after a fine season at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 19 goals and laying on eight assists as City won an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title.

Such form saw the 24-year-old named Manchester City player of the year, Premier League player of the year and Football Writers’ Association footballer of the year.

Phil Foden tipped for Euro 2024 player of the tournament by England teammate

Kieran Trippier happy to adapt to different roles during England’s Euro 2024 bid

15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kieran Trippier has pledged to be the ultimate team player in England’s bid to win the Euros, whether that means playing out of position, offering experience or even starting matches on the sidelines.

The 33-year-old has been part of all four of Gareth Southgate’s major tournament squads and looks set to start tonight’s Group C opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.

But right-back Trippier will line-up on the opposite side as England wait for their sole out-and-out left-back Luke Shaw to return from four months out with a hamstring injury.

Kieran Trippier happy to adapt to different roles during England’s Euro 2024 bid

Scotland let themselves down against Germany and where it all went wrong is obvious

15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yes, it was an opening night to forget for Scotland, whose dress rehearsals hadn’t been particularly encouraging, either. Jamie Braidwood identifies where it all went wrong:

Scotland let themselves down against Germany and where it all went wrong is obvious

Steve Clarke hoping cuddles and kicked backsides lift Scotland after Germany thrashing

15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kicked backsides and a few cuddles were needed in the wake of Scotland’s demoralising 5-1 defeat by Germany in their opening Euro 2024 game, according to manager Steve Clarke.

The thrashing by the hosts in Munich means Scotland sit bottom of Group A, although with Switzerland to play on Wednesday, followed by Hungary, there is still hope of making the last 16.

For that to happened though Scotland will have to show an enormous improvement as they bid to collect the four points Clarke believes could take them through.

Steve Clarke hoping cuddles and kicked backsides lift Scotland after Germany drubbing

Euro 2024 power rankings: Rating every nation’s chances ahead of the tournament

15:10 , Lawrence Ostlere

Euro 2024 is here with 24 teams competing to win the Henri Delaunay Trophy in Germany this summer.

Germany thumped Scotland in the opener in Munich with German fans delighted with the prospect of a fourth European Championship.

The strongest nations all appear fallible coming into the European Championship, and it is shaping up to be an open tournament with the chance to go deep into the knockout rounds for any side who can get their act together.

Here, The Independent assesses how every Euro 2024 nation stacks up.

Euro 2024 power rankings: Rating every nation’s chances ahead of the tournament

Gareth Southgate responds to Wayne Rooney criticism over ‘special’ Trent Alexander-Arnold role

15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We are expecting Trent Alexander-Arnold to line up alongside Declan Rice in midfield tonight, a bold call from Gareth Southgate but one that he feels comes with an “opportunity worth grasping”.

Gareth Southgate responds to Wayne Rooney criticism over Trent Alexander-Arnold role

England vs Serbia referee: Who is Euro 2024 official Daniele Orsato?

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Need to know a little bit more about tonight’s referee? Here’s our guide to the experienced Daniele Orsato, who will be overseeing affairs in Gelsenkirchen:

England vs Serbia referee: Who is Euro 2024 official Daniele Orsato?

How the Euros could change the result of the election

14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yes, there’s an election due in the United Kingdom, in case you hadn’t heard – the first postal votes have been submitted before the country goes to the polls en masse on Thursday July 4. Jim White explores just to what extent football and politics are intertwined:

How the Euros could change the result of the election

Keir Starmer urges England to make it a ‘summer to remember’ at Euro 2024

14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has urged England to “make it a summer to remember” ahead of their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.

Thousands of Three Lions fans have descended on Gelsenkirchen, in western Germany, as they hope to witness Gareth Southgate’s men make a winning start in Group C.

Keir Starmer urges England to make it a ‘summer to remember’ at Euro 2024

Action underway in Hamburg

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The opening game of an intriguing Sunday in Germany is up and running, with Poland (shorn of Robert Lewandowski due to injury) in front against a Dutch side that plenty think might go well over the next few weeks. You can follow all of the action from Hamburg right here – flick it up on another tab and revel in the Euros action!

Poland vs Netherlands LIVE: Euro 2024 stream, latest score and updates

The lingering England questions that Euro 2024 opener against Serbia will answer

14:10 , Karl Matchett

On Friday night, as Germany were setting a pace for their tournament by thrashing Scotland, Gareth Southgate gathered the England squad for a meeting. The theme of this was more reflective, almost a final mission statement before it all begins. Southgate spoke about the tournaments they’ve already been through and the lessons that his staff and senior players have taken. That’s more important than usual, given that 12 of the 26 have never even been in this situation before. Southgate did also point to how some elements from the past that have served England well can now be discarded.

That doesn’t really apply to opening games, though. England actually have a fine record in such matches under Southgate, that has actually improved with each tournament. In 2018, there was the late 3-1 win over Tunisia. In Euro 2020, there was a professional – and vengeful – victory over Croatia. In 2022, there was the 6-2 evisceration of Iran. England were almost the Germany of that tournament.

As to whether Southgate’s team can follow the hosts on Sunday, in the way Spain did by destroying Croatia, as well as their own trend, that is another unknown about this first match against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen. It is why this feels more portentous than any of those two previous opening games, maybe the most telling since Tunisia.

Miguel Delaney, chief football writer, ahead of England vs Serbia:

The lingering England questions that Euros opener against Serbia will answer

FA to fund police over online abuse of England players

14:00 , Karl Matchett

The Football Association (FA) will provide funding to the police to aid in the prosecution of individuals who abuse England’s players on social media, the governing body’s CEO Mark Bullingham said ahead of Euro 2024.

Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were targets of racist online abuse after they missed spot-kicks in a 3-2 shootout loss to Italy in the final of the previous edition of the tournament.

In 2022, a British teenager was sentenced to six weeks in prison for racially abusing Rashford after the final, while a man who live-streamed himself racially abusing the trio on Facebook was jailed for 10 weeks.

FA to fund police over online abuse of England players

Adam Wharton reflects on ‘surreal’ rise to England’s Euro 2024 squad

13:45 , Karl Matchett

Adam Wharton is struggling to compute his “surreal” ascent from Blackburn debutant to England’s Euro 2024 squad over the last 22 months.

The 20-year-old midfielder is the second youngest player in Gareth Southgate’s squad in Germany and has the least amount of top-level experience under his belt.

Wharton swapped boyhood club Blackburn and life in the Championship for Premier League outfit Crystal Palace earlier this year, hitting the ground running in south London.

The midfielder was rewarded with a first England call-up for June’s training squad and did enough to earn a place in Southgate’s 26-man squad for the Euros.

Adam Wharton reflects on ‘surreal’ rise to England’s Euro 2024 squad

Euro 2024 Group C guide: Fixtures, squads and star players to watch as England aim for glory

13:30 , Karl Matchett

England will attempt to go one better this time out in the European Championship than they managed three years ago on home soil, when they were beaten by Italy in the final. This time around Gareth Southgate has a much-changed squad and much-changed expectations on the team, as the Three Lions look to triumph at Euro 2024.

Injuries, late pushes for inclusion and a few bold choices all affected Southgate’s approach, and England now look ready to peak with an attack-minded outlook.

Before thoughts turn to the knockouts, though, they must navigate a solid-looking group stage. Alongside them will be Denmark, Slovenia and Iceland, each having real hopes of qualifying through the groups and each presenting different and difficult challenges to break them down in 90-minute encounters.

Denmark were at the centre of several talking points at the last Euros, not the least of which was Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch – he’s back in the squad this time after a full recovery.

Here’s everything you need to know about Group C and what England are up against.

Euro 2024 Group C guide: Fixtures, squads and star players to watch

England’s route to Euro 2024 final and possible knockout opponents

13:15 , Karl Matchett

England begin Euro 2024 in Group C and will hope to navigate a set of fixtures that looks kind on paper – with Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia lying in wait.

From there, things should get harder but if England can top Group C then a third-placed qualifier from either Group D, E or F will be their opponents in the last 16, before a quarter-final potentially against Germany, Spain or Italy. Win that and they would be just two victories away from glory.

Three years ago in the same competition, England agonisingly fell short at the final hurdle when they were beaten to the trophy by Italy, losing on penalties in the final at Wembley Stadium. This time, Gareth Southgate will be hoping to lead his side to their first major men’s trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

Here is a closer look at England’s possible route to the final in Germany.

England’s route to Euro 2024 final and possible knockout opponents

England have ditched their recipe for success with Euro 2024 Gareth Southgate’s biggest gamble of all

13:00 , Karl Matchett

In the final few sessions before Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate has been keen to ensure England’s raft of new attackers are properly up to speed with some of the team’s rehearsed moves. He can see the full picture, but the lines are still a little blurred. This team doesn’t yet have the connections visible in Euro 2020 qualifying, say, but it’s promising. How couldn’t it be promising with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane? Southgate is unusually excited.

Such “automatisms” – where attackers instinctively execute moves from repeated rehearsal – are one of those parts of preparation that say a lot about the whole. England have been coming close to the line in a similar way.

Euro 2024 had long been looked upon as one of the tournaments when the entire St George’s Park project should finally deliver a trophy.

This may well be Southgate’s last campaign, further fostering a sense of culmination. Even the last tournament before this seemed to outline the final step that is required, as England lost to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final by the narrowest margins. Since Kylian Mbappe’s side have been heralded as the best in Europe, the presumption is that you win against them and you win the tournament.

Except now, so close to the line, it’s all a little blurred.

Miguel Delaney ahead of England’s opener:

England have ditched their plan with Euro 2024 Southgate’s biggest gamble of all

Inside the luxury golf resort that will host England for Euros 2024

12:45 , Karl Matchett

With kick-off for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in sight, international teams have checked in across Germany to set up camp before they hit the pitch.

But where will the England team be based to keep their eye on the ball before their first match against Serbia come Sunday 16 June?

Here’s a look inside the luxury resort where players will kick up their calves for the duration of the UEFA Euros.

Inside the luxury golf resort that will host England for the Euros 2024

Danish women’s footballers to receive equal pay after men refuse rise

12:30 , Karl Matchett

Denmark’s male footballers have decided to refuse a pay rise for playing for the national team in order to ensure their female counterparts get equal basic pay, the global players’ union Fifpro said on Friday.

The national football association (DBU) had been looking to ensure equal pay for both teams but players from both squads were not in favour of taking money from the men’s team to pay the women.

The players’ union, Spillerforeningen, and the men’s players instead came up with a plan under which the men would refuse a pay rise and both teams would receive the same basic remuneration for appearing for the national side.

Danish women’s footballers to receive equal pay after men refuse rise

Police confirm person with ‘incendiary device’ shot near fanzone hours before Euro 2024 match

12:17 , Karl Matchett

Breaking news:

German police have confirmed that one person has been shot and taken for medical treatment, after they threatened officers with an axe and an “incendiary device” in Hamburg, just two hours before the start of a Euro 2024 fixture in the city.

“At StPauli there is currently a major police operation,” read a statement on social media from Hamburg police. “According to initial findings, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The police then used their firearms. The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.”

More details here:

Police confirm person with ‘incendiary device’ shot near fanzone before Euros match

Euro 2024: Serbia vs England LIVE

12:15 , Karl Matchett

John Stones believes his Manchester City and England teammate Phil Foden is a potential player of the tournament at Euro 2024.

Foden was named Footballer of the Year after scoring a career-best 27 goals to help City win a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

He has only scored four goals in 34 caps for his country and is yet to replicate that form consistently in an England shirt but Stones feels Foden could prove the outstanding individual in Germany in the next month.

Phil Foden tipped for Euro 2024 player of the tournament by England teammate

Euro 2024: Serbia vs England LIVE

12:00 , Karl Matchett

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has refused to confirm he is standing down as president in 2027, appearing to change his position from an announcement at the federation’s congress that he would not seek a fourth term.

Any such move could bring new scrutiny on Uefa, at a time when the EU and European Commission are monitoring the governance of European football.

The Slovenian official has been in the role since 2016, after replacing French great Michel Platini, who was forced to resign after the 2015 Fifa scandal that engulfed football. While that meant one of his three allowed terms wasn’t a full term, eyebrows were then raised at Uefa’s Congress in Paris in February, when motions were voted through that amended rules so Ceferin could potentially seek another full term in 2027. The commotion that caused eventually saw the 56-year-old announce in a rare press conference that he had decided he is “not planning to run in 2027 anymore”.

Curiously, Ceferin then refused to elaborate on that, and there was further uncertainty to that position in an interview with ZDFheute on the eve of Euro 2024. The Slovenian was directly asked whether this would be his last European Championships as Uefa president.

Aleksander Ceferin refuses to confirm he is stepping down as Uefa president

Reports of police closing Reeperbahn close to fan zone in Hamburg

11:56 , Karl Matchett

There are reports that riot police have moved in and detained or otherwise stopped a person with an axe at the Reeperbahn in Hamburg, where today’s opening match between Netherlands and Poland is taking place.

More to follow shortly.

Gareth Southgate names England squad’s four-man ‘leadership group’ at Euro 2024

11:45 , Karl Matchett

Gareth Southgate has revealed young star Jude Bellingham is part of England’s new-look leadership group at Euro 2024.

The 20-year-old’s inexorable rise shows no signs of abating, with fine spells at boyhood team Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund followed by a dream start to life at Real Madrid.

Bellingham won LaLiga and the competition’s best player award in his first season with the Spanish giants, who he also helped win a 15th Champions League trophy at Wembley a fortnight ago.

Gareth Southgate names England squad’s four-man ‘leadership group’ at Euro 2024

Euro 2024: Serbia vs England LIVE

11:30 , Karl Matchett

It has been a cruel few weeks for the senior players who have been the stalwarts of Gareth Southgate’s reign. They have been dropped and demoted, their feelings hurt sometimes while bodies have given way. John Stones had been a survivor of the Southgate cull, but there was a moment when it seemed he, too, would miss Euro 2024.

It came minutes into England’s final friendly against Iceland. A stricken Stones went down under a challenge from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson. “I knew it wasn’t my knee or my ankle, because of the mechanism in how I landed, it was almost like my big toe in the line straight down my foot and you think ‘I have fractured it’,” he recalled.

The curse of the metatarsal has hit England in the past, broken feet, or bones in feet, a factor in summer disappointments. It looked as though 2024 could be a throwback to 2002 or 2006. If Stones’ importance has risen amid the injury problems of Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire, it looked as though Southgate could lose his only centre-back with World Cup or European Championship experience.

John Stones ready to guide England to Euro 2024 glory after setbacks, surprises and near-misses

John Stones ready to guide England to glory after setbacks, surprises and near-misses

France seek fast start to help end 24 years of waiting for European Championship glory

11:15 , Karl Matchett

After a shock last 16 exit from Euro 2020 and finishing runners-up as hosts in 2016, France can do themselves a big favour with a decisive win against an in-form Austria on Monday to stamp their authority on the tournament early on.

Les Bleus have won just about everything in football – several times over – but the European Championship has eluded France for more than two decades, with manager Didier Deschamps taking his second crack at becoming the first man to win the World Cup and Euros as both player and coach.

Austria would typically be no trouble for France but German manager Ralf Rangnick has led a transformation this past two years, with his side imbued with confidence having lost only once in their last 16 matches.

France seek fast start to help end 24 years of waiting for Euros glory

Euro 2024: Serbia vs England LIVE

11:00 , Karl Matchett

It only took Luka Modric 18 years. In 2006, the summer before Lamine Yamal was born, he was an unused substitute against Brazil at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. He didn’t quite get on the pitch then – blame manager Zlatko Kranjcar for that one – but a remarkable longevity took him back to Berlin, into historic company. For the Croatia captain, playing in a ninth major tournament meant he joined only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lothar Matthaus among Europeans. A few months before his 39th birthday, he became the oldest ever player at European Championships; though perhaps only for a few days, until Ronaldo and Pepe go past him.

A day of record-breakers, however, became an advertisement for youth, rather than experience. Lamine Yamal, the youngest footballer ever at this level, some 22 years Modric’s junior, delivered a star turn. Croatia lost 3-0 to Spain. It wasn’t quite as dramatic a case of a glorious career ending at the Olympiastadion as Zinedine Zidane’s, later in the 2006 World Cup, but it was a day to prompt questions. Are Croatia, finally, too old? Will time eventually catch up with the timeless Modric, boyish as his physique remains, baggy as the shorts are?

Richard Jolly: Luka Modric, the problem with ageing, and the worst day for Croatia’s best generation

Luka Modric and the problem with ageing

England team news and predicted line-up against Serbia

10:49 , Jamie Braidwood

England are expected to be without Luke Shaw as the Manchester United left-back continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, but he could be an option from the bench after taking part in team training this week sooner than expected. Kieran Trippier will fill in on the left side of defence in Shaw’s absence.

John Stones has recovered from the minor illness which kept him out of training earlier this week. Jude Bellingham was given a week off after Real Madrid’s Champions League win and missed both of England’s warm-up matches, but is expected to be thrown straight back into action after joining up with the camp this week.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to partner Declan Rice in England’s midfield.

England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.

Euro 2024: Serbia vs England

10:45 , Karl Matchett

Albania were on the wrong end of the scoreline last night in the end, but they did make history against Italy!

Albania’s Nedim Bajrami scores fastest Euros goal ever to stun Italy

Euro 2024 fixtures: Schedule, dates and kick-off times

10:30 , Karl Matchett

Euro 2024 is upon us, 24 nations having qualified each with a guaranteed three matches to play in the group stage – but a handful of them dreaming of going the distance, hopeful of playing a full seven matches and triumphing in Berlin on 14 July.

Another summer of football action will see the likes of England, Spain, France and hosts Germany all go head to head across the course of a month, each hoping to be the country which displaces Italy as reigning continental champions.

Here is the full schedule for Euro 2024, plus below you can see day-by-day fixtures and times (BST) in text form, with the knockout games and reports to be included as the tournament progresses.

Euro 2024 fixtures: Full schedule, dates and kick-off times

Gareth Southgate wants fans to ‘have a brilliant time’ despite security fears

10:15 , Jack Rathborn

Gareth Southgate has urged England fans to celebrate football and enjoy their time at Euro 2024 with supporters from across the continent amid security fears surrounding their Group C opener against Serbia.

Police in Germany have described Sunday evening’s game as “high-risk”, with reports earlier in the week of Serbian ultras making their way to the region.

With England supporters travelling to a tournament en masse for the first time since 2016, all eyes will be on behaviour ahead of the game as much as the performance of the players on the pitch at the Veltins Arena.

Gareth Southgate wants fans to ‘have a brilliant time’ despite security fears

Euro 2024: Serbia vs England

10:00 , Jack Rathborn

Gareth Southgate names England squad’s four-man ‘leadership group’ at Euro 2024

09:45 , Jack Rathborn

Gareth Southgate has revealed young star Jude Bellingham is part of England’s new-look leadership group at Euro 2024.

The 20-year-old’s inexorable rise shows no signs of abating, with fine spells at boyhood team Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund followed by a dream start to life at Real Madrid.

Bellingham won LaLiga and the competition’s best player award in his first season with the Spanish giants, who he also helped win a 15th Champions League trophy at Wembley a fortnight ago.

Gareth Southgate names England squad’s four-man ‘leadership group’ at Euro 2024

John Stones ready to guide England to Euro 2024 glory after setbacks, surprises and near-misses

09:30 , Jack Rathborn

It has been a cruel few weeks for the senior players who have been the stalwarts of Gareth Southgate’s reign. They have been dropped and demoted, their feelings hurt sometimes while bodies have given way. John Stones had been a survivor of the Southgate cull, but there was a moment when it seemed he, too, would miss Euro 2024.

It came minutes into England’s final friendly against Iceland. A stricken Stones went down under a challenge from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson. “I knew it wasn’t my knee or my ankle, because of the mechanism in how I landed, it was almost like my big toe in the line straight down my foot and you think ‘I have fractured it’,” he recalled.

The curse of the metatarsal has hit England in the past, broken feet, or bones in feet, a factor in summer disappointments. It looked as though 2024 could be a throwback to 2002 or 2006. If Stones’ importance has risen amid the injury problems of Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire, it looked as though Southgate could lose his only centre-back with World Cup or European Championship experience.

John Stones ready to guide England to glory after setbacks, surprises and near-misses

Gareth Southgate responds to Wayne Rooney criticism over ‘special’ Trent Alexander-Arnold role

09:15 , Jack Rathborn

Gareth Southgate says playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield is an “opportunity worth grasping” that could be “incredibly special”.

The England boss also detailed how he is still to decide on Luke Shaw’s fitness for Sunday’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.

Southgate came close to confirming Alexander-Arnold will start in midfield by enthusing about his ability there, in response to questions about Wayne Rooney’s criticism that he wouldn’t give the Liverpool star a central role.

“Everybody’s more than entitled to opinions, so that’s our world, we have to accept that,” Southgate said. “Then we have to go and show what we can do. I’m really happy. I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It’s something he’s been really keen to do.

Gareth Southgate responds to Wayne Rooney criticism over Trent Alexander-Arnold role

Harry Kane reveals impact of trophy drought on England’s Euro 2024 chances

09:00 , Jack Rathborn

Harry Kane believes he has a different kind of aura after his prolific first season at Bayern Munich but said his inability to win his first trophy of his career gives him still more hunger to triumph in Euro 2024.

The England captain scored 44 goals in 45 appearances in his debut season for Bayern, earning the European Golden Shoe for finding the net 36 times in the Bundesliga.

And he feels he has got more respect now as a player who has flourished at one of the biggest clubs around, rather than just as the local boy who scored for Tottenham.

He explained: “I’d say from an outside point of view, I’m probably respected more as one of the top strikers in the world.

Harry Kane reveals impact of trophy drought on England’s Euro 2024 chances

Serbia vs England – Euro 2024 LIVE

Friday 14 June 2024 23:14 , Karl Matchett

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Euro 2024 and the build-up towards England’s first group game at the tournament – against Serbia, kicking off at 8pm BST.

Gareth Southgate’s bold squad selection has plenty excited that this attack-minded side could come together to go a step further than last time, when England reached the final but were beaten by Italy. Will it be different this time around?

It all starts with this first clash on the third day of action in Germany.