To understand how Euro qualifying works these days you need a mastery of calculus, knowledge of four different languages and a degree in astrophysics, and that's before you even consider the UEFA Nations League implications.
To add to the confusion, the playoffs were supposed to be played back in March but were postponed until October because of COVID-19.
Luckily, we've simplified it all for you.
There are four paths to Euro 2020 qualification. Each path has four countries. They will play a semifinal and the two winners of the semis advance to the final. The winners of the finals from each path qualify for Euro 2020 (which will now take place summer 2021, hopefully).
Semifinal matches will all take place on Thursday, October 8, while the playoff finals will be contested Thursday, November 12.
For each match, the first team listed is the host while the winner of the first game listed in each Path will be the host for the playoff final.
16 teams are competing for four Euro 2020 spots, but who will make it through?
Euro 2020 Playoffs Preview
Path A
Bulgaria vs. Hungary
Both countries finished fourth in their respective qualifying groups, but because of the Nations League, they have a chance of a Euro 2020 berth. Hungary was the better of the two during qualifying, earning four victories, including home triumphs over Croatia and Wales, yet narrowly missed out on direct qualification.
Iceland vs. Romania
After earning a European Championship spot for the first time ever in 2016, Iceland had another strong qualifying campaign, winning six of its ten matches yet finishing third behind heavyweights France and Turkey. A home match in Reykjavík could be the difference maker for an Iceland side that has lost just one of its last ten home matches in Euro qualifying.
Path B
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Northern Ireland
Packed in a group of death with Germany and the Netherlands, Northern Ireland won the matches it was supposed to and grabbed third place. Bosnia endured an inconsistent campaign that included four defeats in five road matches. Thankfully for the Balkan side, this match will be played in Sarajevo. Expect a close match between two sides that have each experienced playoff heartbreak in recent qualifying campaigns.
Slovakia vs. Republic of Ireland
New manager Stephen Kenny inherits a veteran Ireland side from Mick McCarthy that was built around stout defending and an aptitude for scoring on set pieces. Kenny will look to field a younger squad that focuses more on possession and creating attacking opportunities. His first two fixtures in charge brought mixed results but showed some promise. This match will be Kenny's first major challenge as Ireland manager, and it will test Kenny's dedication to his footballing principles.
Slovakia will be without star Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, but the side still boasts serious Serie A talent in Milan Škriniar and Marek Hamšík. Neither team has been in great form as of late, so expect a tight, low-scoring affair between two countries that both qualified for the Euros in 2016. Could we be in for an all-Ireland playoff final?
Path C
Norway vs. Serbia
Coming in at 31st in the FIFA world rankings, Serbia is the highest ranked side in the UEFA Euro playoffs but will face a tough test from Norway, which had the highest goal differential (+8) of any playoff team during qualifying. Both countries possess serious attacking talent so expect a riveting contest.
Norway boasts Erling Håland and Sander Berge, and Real Madrid attacker Martin Ødegaard will be available after a false-positive COVID-19 test. Serbia's attack includes Aleksandar Mitrović, Dušan Tadić and Lazio star Sergej Milinković-Savić. This could be the best of the eight semifinals.
Scotland vs. Israel
This semifinal is a rematch of the UEFA Nations League match from less than a month ago, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Glasgow. A rematch on Scottish soil will require a winner this time. Scotland has a history of choking in big games while Israel has never qualified for a European Championship, but one of these teams will have to advance to the playoff final.
Path D
Georgia vs. Belarus
All four of these sides qualified to the playoffs as group winners from League D in UEFA Nations League play, meaning that one of these countries will qualify for its first ever European Championship. Georgia is a resolute side that is difficult to defeat, earning 0-0 draws at home against Denmark and Republic of Ireland in qualifying. Belarus struggled in a difficult group but will hope to build on a modest Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in which it earned 11 points from 10 matches.
North Macedonia vs. Kosovo
North Macedonia is the highest ranked of the Path D sides in the FIFA world rankings but will come up against a Kosovo team that has climbed 60 spots in the rankings over the last three years. Both sides were impressive during qualifying as each surpassed expectations and finished third in their groups. Whichever side wins this closely contested encounter will likely be the favorite in the Path D playoff final.
