The European Football Championship is a European competition between the best national men's football teams , organized by UEFA . Imagined in 1927 by Henri Delaunay , it was created in 1956 under the name of the European Nations Cup. It takes place every four years, alternating even years with the World Cup . Its first edition was held in 1960 . It was renamed the European Championship of Nations in 1968 , when changing the formula that sees the introduction of a phase hens in the preliminary round. The simple generic name Euro, commonly used to designate the European Nations Championship, has appeared on the official logo of the competition since 1996 .

Equivalent competitions exist in the other five continental unions. In sporting terms, the Euro is, along with the Copa America , the most prestigious international football competition after the World Cup.

Portugal won the 15th edition in France in 2016 . The 16th, Euro 2020 , has been postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic .