The UEFA Nations League is back this week, as the play-off and knockout stages of the 2024-25 competition get underway.
Following the conclusion of the group stage in November, the tournament is now entering its crucial phase, with eight teams vying for the coveted trophy and others battling to secure promotion or avoid relegation.
The revamped tournament structure has seen the top two finishers from each of the four League A groups progress to the quarter-finals.
The draw for these two-legged ties has produced some mouth-watering clashes:
- Netherlands vs Spain
- Croatia vs France
- Italy vs Germany
- Denmark vs Portugal
The first legs of these quarter-final encounters, where the first-named team will host, are scheduled for today, March 20th.
The return legs will follow swiftly on March 23rd, promising a thrilling few days of European football.
Meanwhile, the promotion and relegation play-offs are running concurrently.
These matches involve third-placed teams from higher leagues facing second-placed teams from lower leagues, with the winners securing a spot in the higher division for the next edition of the Nations League.
The draw for these play-offs is as follows:
- Georgia v Armenia
- Slovenia v Slovakia
- Iceland v Kosovo
- Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria
- Serbia v Austria
- Scotland v Greece
- Hungary v Turkey
- Belgium v Ukraine
The home nations have seen mixed fortunes in the tournament so far. England and Northern Ireland secured automatic promotion after topping their respective groups, with England moving up to League A and Northern Ireland to League B.
Wales also earned promotion to League A in November. However, Scotland finds themselves in the play-offs, battling to stay in League B, while the Republic of Ireland are also in the play-offs, aiming to climb into League B.
The quarter-final winners will advance to the semi-finals, which are single-leg matches scheduled for June 4th and 5th, 2025. The ultimate prize, the Nations League trophy, will be at stake in these high-stakes encounters.
Beyond the immediate glory of the Nations League, the tournament also holds implications for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Four teams will secure a play-off spot for the World Cup through their Nations League performance.
These spots will be awarded to the four best-ranked group winners who do not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group.
This adds an extra layer of incentive for teams across Leagues B and C, who may find it more challenging to qualify directly through the traditional channels.
England and Wales, by virtue of winning their League B groups, are in a strong position to secure a World Cup play-off spot.
Northern Ireland’s group win in League C also gives them a chance, while Scotland will need to rely on their World Cup qualifying performance to reach the finals.
