While Africa, Asia and North America will not be represented, dashing any hope of a revolutionary breakthrough in the eventual destination of the trophy, at least one of this year's finalists will not have reached the title decider for half a century, if at all.
Their skills are impressive on the field, and their looks easy on the eyes.
England midfielder Fabian Delph says he and his team mates will live with regret for their World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia for the rest of their lives.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
If England beat Panama and Belgium beat or draw with Tunisia then England are through to the last 16.
The European Football Championship kicked off on Friday, June 11, and with the first round of matches in the league stage of Euro 2020 done and dusted, here's a look at the five best goals thus far.
It took a great escape in injury time to get there after being two goals down to Japan, but Belgium can now view their quarter-final against Brazil free of the weight of expectation.
However, there was a softening in tone over eventual cases where league seasons may be cancelled -- an outcome UEFA had been quick to oppose.
Arjen Robben is set to make his return to the Netherlands team for the first time in a year for their World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg. In agreement with his club, Bayern Munich, Robben will only be available for that competitive fixture on Nov. 13 and will sit out the friendly with neighbours Belgium four days earlier, coach Danny Blind said on Friday. The 32-year-old has had a litany of injuries, mainly hamstring problems, over the last 12 months and won the last of his 88 caps in the 3-2 away win over Wales last November, when he scored twice.
Gareth Bale has reiterated his plan to return to Real Madrid once his loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur is over and played down suggestions his comments were disrespectful to the London club.
"I think he's our best player," Fabregas said.
India jumped six places to 141 in the latest world football rankings issued by the game's governing body, FIFA, on Thursday.
Images from the World Cup qualifying matches played on Wednesday night.
Talismanic Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri, on Tuesday, rated Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time but did not include Argentina among his favourite four teams to lift the World Cup in Russia.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Images from football friendlies played on Wednesday.
Spain strolled to a 4-1 win at home to Israel, while Italy survived some first-half scares on the way to a 2-0 win and Ukraine registered a 1-0 home win over Ukraine in an action-packed game.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
James Milner, set to win his 50th England cap against San Marino on Thursday, believes his international captain Wayne Rooney has a good chance of reaching another significant landmark in the coming days.
Spain prevail in shootout against gallant 10-men Swiss
Moments to remember from the quarter-finals.
Eriksen's agent said the player is undergoing detailed examinations after the Denmark international collapsed with a cardiac arrest during his side's Euro 2020 opening match against Finland on Saturday.
The former Chelsea player, who now plies his trade with Vfl Wolfsburg in Germany, scored the opener and created the second for Marc Wilmots' side.
France are favourites as Moscow basked in sweltering summer sun
Argentina winger Angel Di Maria trained lightly on Thursday in the hope of being able to play a part in the World Cup final against Germany on Sunday despite suffering a thigh injury just days ago.
The football world gathered in the Qatari capital on Friday as the draw ceremony for the World Cup finals got under way with music and dance.
Belgium pointed to Eden Hazard as a potential match winner as they laid out a strategy to combat Lionel Messi and Argentina when they meet in their World Cup quarter-final in Brasilia on Saturday.
The youngest at Euro 2020 will be Poland's Kacper Kozowski - one of two 17-year-olds in the tournament, which has never happened before.
Summary of World Cup qualifiers played across the world on Thursday
The Germans will play their group matches in Munich
Neymar, who has scored twice so far to help Brazil into the World Cup quarter-finals in Russia where they will face Belgium on Friday, has been sharply criticised for a string of exaggerated reactions when clashing with an opponent.
Antonio Conte, who spends matches ranting incessantly at his players and the referee from the touchline, is one of the most passionate coaches at Euro 2016 and has led an ageing, technically-limited side further than many felt possible.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, who is also out of contract at the end of next season, told Sky Sports he would address his future after Saturday's final.
Belgium went straight back to work on Wednesday, given little time to celebrate their win over the United States at the World Cup as coach Marc Wilmots said he wanted to "raise the bar higher".
The two lowest-ranked teams will kick off the World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The Kolkata team lost all its matches in the Manchester United Premier Cup football Under-15 football tournament.
The Indian football team continued to paint a grim picture as they are languishing down at 156th spot in the latest FIFA rankings.
England forward Jamie Vardy is "looking doubtful" for the World Cup quarter-final against Sweden on Saturday after suffering a groin strain having come on as a late substitute in the last-16 win over Colombia, manager Gareth Southgate has said.
