Hungary was chosen to host the final tournament,[2] which was staged from 19 to 31 July 2014 in four cities – Budapest, Felcsút, Győr and Pápa.

Qualification matches began in September 2013 and concluded in June 2014, with seven teams joining the hosts in the final tournament.

Among them were the defending champions, Serbia, who defeated France 1–0 in the previous final to secure their first-ever title in UEFA competitions.

[9] The qualifying round was played between 6 September and 19 November 2013, following a draw that took place on 5 December 2012 at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

The draw for the group stage was held on 19 June 2014 at the Pancho Arena in Felcsút, and was conducted by the UEFA Youth and Amateur Football Committee chairman, Jim Boyce, who was assisted by former Hungary national team coach and final tournament ambassador Kálmán Mészöly.

If only two teams were tied (according to criteria 1–7) after having met in the last match of the group stage, their ranking would be determined by a penalty shoot-out.