Are you a fan of UEFA Nations League?
Then there is no point telling you that this tournament is the fourth edition that features men’s national teams of the UEFA member associations.
These matches are scheduled from Sep. to Nov. of 2024 for the League phase and then will run from March ’25 with quarterfinals and play-offs up to June ’25 when the finals are held.
Where will it Happen?
It will be held in the various stadiums across Europe. Some notable host stadiums are:
- Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
- Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
- Opus Arena, Osijek, Croatia
- Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia
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UEFA Nations League Teams
Which Teams will Appear in UEFA Nations League?
There are total 54 teams which are divided into four leagues: A B C and D.
- Leagues A B and C have each been assigned 16 teams, that further divided into four groups of four teams each.
- League D has been assigned 6 teams, with further divisions into two groups of three teams each.
Teams will be placed in leagues according to their Nations League ranking from the previous edition of the competition in the 2022–23 season.
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Division of Teams
League A (16 teams):
- Pot 1: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands
- Pot 2: Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary
- Pot 3: Switzerland, Germany, Poland, France
- Pot 4: Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Scotland
League B (16 teams):
- Pot 1: Austria, Czechia, England, Wales
- Pot 2: Finland, Ukraine, Iceland, Norway
- Pot 3: Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, Montenegro
- Pot 4: Georgia, Greece, Türkiye, Kazakhstan
League C (16 teams):
- Pot 1: Romania, Sweden, Armenia, Luxembourg
- Pot 2: Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Faroe Islands
- Pot 3: North Macedonia, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Cyprus
- Pot 4: Belarus, Lithuania/Gibraltar, Estonia, Latvia
League D – 6 teams:
- Pot 1: Lithuania/Gibraltar, Moldova
- Pot 2: Malta, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein
For the first time this league will see a quarter-final round in League A, with the winners and runners-up of each group pitted against each other for a finals place.
Furthermore, play-offs between third-placed teams in Leagues A and B and the runners-up from the leagues below them will feature too.
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Key Dates
Now, the key dates for the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League are as follows:
League Phase:
- Match dates: September 5 November 19, 2024
- Matches: Teams in the same group meet each other; teams play six matches, hosting three games
Knock-out Stage:
- League A Quarter-finals: March 20-23, 2025 (home and away over two legs)
- League A/B and B/C Play-offs: March 20-23, 2025 (home and away over two legs)
Nations League Finals:
- Host: To be determined by UEFA on December 16, 2024. All League A teams meeting stadium requirements can submit a bid
- Semi-finals: June 4-5, 2025
- Third Place Play-off: June 8, 2025
- Final: June 8, 2005
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Format Changes
Another important modification to this format is the introduction of a quarter-final stage. Whereas in the previous format only the group winners from League A qualified through to the Finals, now, the top two teams in each group will progress into the quarterfinals. This modification offers more teams the chance to fight for the title and an extra level of excitement to the tournament.
Promotion and Relegation
Promotion and relegation remain in the tournament. The bottom two teams in League A and League B will be downgraded to the league below, with the top one from League B, C, and D promoted. There is also a playoff between the third-placed teams of League A and League B against the runners-up from the respective leagues below them, thus giving those games some real weight.
Conclusion
The new format promises excitement as the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League gives more teams an opportunity to win glory. The national teams go into the league phase this coming September 2024, so get ready for a series of matches that will determine not just the champion but who goes into the next sets of international tournaments, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
