Regarded as one of the favourites to conquer the continent this summer, the pressure could hardly be weighing heavier on the shoulders of Gareth Southgate's England ahead of their pilgrimage to Germany for Euro 2024.
The Three Lions board the plane to mainland Europe three years on from a devastating defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, since when they have experienced an all-too familiar quarter-final elimination at the 2022 World Cup.
Southgate's side must first assert their authority over Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia in Group C before the knockout fixtures commence, and the England boss had the luxury of naming 26 players for his squad as opposed to the former 23-strong selections.
Here, Sports Mole runs down everything you need to know about England's squad announcement for Euro 2024, as well as how the Three Lions' troupe is shaping up ahead of the tournament.
When will England's Euro 2024 squad be named?
© Reuters
England boss Southgate confirmed his initial 33-man selection on May 21, just two days after the end of the Premier League season.
The Three Lions pencilled two friendly fixtures into the diary before Euro 2024 kicks off, firstly defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 at St James' Park on June 3, four days before suffering a shock 1-0 loss to Iceland at Wembley.
The latter date was also the deadline for national teams to submit their official squad lists to UEFA - specifically midnight on June 7 - although Southgate did not wait that long to confirm his final selection, announcing a group of 26 on June 6.
The final selection have nine days to recuperate from their final friendly fixture before opening their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on June 16, while Denmark and then Slovenia await on June 20 and 25 respectively.
How is England's squad shaping up for Euro 2024?
© Reuters
While the vast majority of England's big-hitters were fit and firing by the end of the domestic season, Southgate did not select Chelsea full-back duo Reece James or Ben Chilwell after injury-riddled campaigns for both players.
James was able to make two appearances towards the tail end of the season, but was sent off in one of those and did not show enough for Southgate to select him in a squad that already contains strength at right-back.
It is on the other side of defence that England look particularly light, with Chilwell's absence meaning that Luke Shaw - himself without an appearance since February due to injury - is the only out-and-out left-back in the squad, although he is still a long shot, so Kieran Trippier may very well deputise.
Trippier is another to have missed a chunk of the season through injury though, but he was fit enough to play an hour against Bosnia on the left and should keep Joe Gomez at bay.
The likes of Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings and Brentford's Rico Henry will watch the tournament from home after injuries, while Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount and Kalvin Phillips - all former cornerstones of the England setup - were left out of the initial 33-man squad and subsequently the final 26.
© Reuters
Rashford's absence was the main headline as he was dropped due to poor form - coupled with standout seasons for a number of other players in his position - while Southgate voiced concerns over Henderson's fitness after injury as the main reason behind his exclusion.
Champions League finalist Jadon Sancho and Three Lions outcast Ben White did not benefit from the expanded squad selections, with Southgate not speaking to White about his availability after the Arsenal defender had previously ruled himself out of contention following a row with assistant Steve Holland at the last World Cup.
There were plenty of newer faces for Southgate to cast his eye over during the warm-up friendlies, though, with Cole Palmer perhaps the standout name following an exceptional season with Chelsea, and he struck England's opener in the win over Bosnia.
Palmer's form has been so impressive that his place in the final squad was secure, and the likes of Eberechi Eze, Kobbie Mainoo, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon made good enough cases for a spot on the plane after fine domestic campaigns.
There were also four uncapped players in the 33 - Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarell Quansah, Curtis Jones and Adam Wharton - but the former three were all left out of the final 26, as were James Trafford, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and the injured Harry Maguire.
