The UEFA Nations League returns this month, with Portugal, France and Spain aiming to be the first to win the new competition for the second time, and the rest of League A hoping to win their first championship.
( MORE: What will the USMNT lineup look like against Canada? )
Everyone else wants to get promoted, including England, new to League B, and Sweden, new to League C. Yes, big nations with big names and players like Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski can now say they have experienced relegation.
Here you’ll find any questions you may have, as well as the schedules and standings when the UNL hits our screens in September.
How does the UEFA Nations League work?
All 55 UEFA member associations take part in the UEFA Nations League, divided into four ‘leagues’ – League A, League B, League C and League D.
Leagues A to C each consist of 16 teams divided into groups of four. League D consists of six teams divided into two groups of three.
The last-placed teams in each group in Leagues A, B and C are automatically relegated to a lower league for the next tournament, while the third-placed teams in each group in Leagues A and B play in a play-off against a runner-up from a group below them for the right to stay in the higher league or to be promoted.
The two runners-up of League D will play against the two best fourth-placed teams of League C for the remaining places in Group C.
UEFA Nations League finals, winners
2018–19: Portugal beat Netherlands 1-0 in Portugal
2020-21: France beats Spain 2-1 in Italy
2022–23: Spain beat Croatia in the Netherlands, 0-0 after extra time (5-4 on penalties)
Introducing the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League: Where does England stand?
England, perhaps surprisingly, picked up just three points in Group A3 of the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League, losing twice to Hungary and once to Italy, drawing twice with Germany and sharing once with the Italians.
The Three Lions are clear favourites to win Group B2 in the 2024–25 tournament, as they will play home and away against Finland, Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
A less publicized shock was the elimination of Sweden from Group B, which was relegated from the tough Group B4 with Serbia, Norway and Slovenia in the 2022/23 season.
Fixtures and results of Group A of the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League
5 September 2024
Portugal vs Croatia
Scotland vs Poland
Denmark vs. Switzerland
Serbia vs Spain
6 September 2024
Belgium vs Israel
France vs Italy
7 September 2024
Germany vs Hungary
Netherlands vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
8 September 2024
Croatia vs Poland
Portugal vs Scotland
Denmark vs Serbia
Switzerland vs. Spain
9 September 2024
France vs Belgium
Israel vs Italy
October 10, 2024
Israel against France
Italy vs Belgium
October 11, 2024
Bosnia and Herzegovina against Germany
Hungary vs Netherlands
October 12, 2024
Croatia vs Scotland
Poland vs Portugal
Serbia vs. Switzerland
Spain vs Denmark
October 14, 2024
Belgium vs France
Italy vs Israel
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Hungary
Germany vs Netherlands
October 15, 2024
Poland vs Croatia
Scotland vs Portugal
Spain vs Serbia
Switzerland vs Denmark
14 November 2024
Belgium vs Italy
France against Israel
15 November 2024
Portugal vs Poland
Scotland vs Croatia
Denmark vs Spain
Switzerland vs. Serbia
16 November 2024
Germany against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Netherlands vs Hungary
17 November 2024
Israel vs Belgium
Italy vs France
18 November 2024
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Netherlands
Hungary against Germany
Serbia vs Denmark
Spain vs. Switzerland
19 November 2024
Croatia vs Portugal
Poland vs Scotland
Tables of Group A of the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League
Group A1
- Croatia
- Portugal
- Poland
- Scotland
Group A2
- Italy
- Belgium
- France
- Israel
Group A3
- Netherlands
- Hungary
- Germany
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group A4
- Spain
- Denmark
- Switzerland
- Serbia
Dates of the knockout rounds of the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League
Quarterfinals – 20 and 25 March
Four group runners-up against four group winners (draw 22 Nov.)
Semi-finals – 4 and 5 June
Winner of the quarter-finals
Third place match – June 8
Final – 8 June
