Uefa Nations League begins in June 2022. Here’s a guide for all you need to know about the Biennial competition.
What is the UEFA Nations League?
Uefa Nation League is a biennial competition in its third edition, a competition between the 55 member nations of UEFA, created because “UEFA and its associations wanted more sporting meaning in national team football, which will be exciting. It was first won by Portugal in 2019 and France are the defending champions
Does that means there are no more international friendlies?
However, friendly matches are not important because its results to nothing, to make its interesting the biennial competition was inaugurated. The UEFA Nations League been forced into all remaining international dates in 2022 before the World Cup starts.
In 2023, qualifying for Euro 2024 will take up the dates, meaning only countries in groups of five teams, who have two spare matchdays, will play friendlies.
What is the format?
The format of the competition, the teams will be divided into four leagues: A, B, C and D. League A, B and C will feature four groups. The strongest nations are in League A, and the weakest in League D.
Leagues A, B and C: Four groups of four nations (16 teams each)
League D: One group of four and one group of three (7)
Teams within each group will play each other home and away.
UEFA Nations League groups are?
League A, Group 1
France, Denmark, Croatia, Austria
League A, Group 2
Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Czech Republic
League A, Group 3
Italy, Germany, England, Hungary
League A, Group 4
Belgium, Netherland, Poland, Wales
League B, Group 1
Ukraine, Ireland, Armenia, Scotland
League B, Group 2
Israel, Albania, Iceland, Russia
League B, Group 3
Bosnia and Herzegovina , Finland, Montenegro, Romania
League B, Group 4
Sweden, Serbia, Norway, Slovenia
League C, Group 1
Turkey, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Faroe Islands
League C, Group 2
Northern Ireland, Greece, Kosovo, Cyprus
League C, Group 3
Slovakia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan
League C, Group 4
Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Georgia, Gibraltar
Liechtenstein, Moldova, Andorra, Latvia
League D, Group 2
Malta, Estonia, San Marino
Are Russia taking part in the UEFA Nations League?
The sanctions placed on Russia will not allow them to participate in the Biennial Competition..
Will there actually be UEFA Nations League champions?
Definitely, the four group winners from League A will play off in knockout format. The semifinals will be held on June 14 and 15, 2023 with the final on June 18.
Belgium, Netherlands, Poland and Wales have applied to host the finals, the four countries from Group A4. The hosts will be appointed in January 2023, but it usually goes to the winners of the group as they will be taking part.
The finalists will be drawn into a group of five nations in Euro 2024, qualifying the June dates can remain free for the Nations League finals.
Who are the UEFA Nations League holders?
France won the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League final as Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Paris saint German SuperStar Kylian Mbappe sealing the victory against Spain, the game ended 2-1AA in Milan, Italy. 2019 winners were Portugal beats Holland as Cristiano Ronaldo added another to trophy to his cabinet.
Is there promotion and relegation?
Yes. The winners of each group in Leagues B, C and D move up, while the nations bottom of Leagues A and B drop down for the next edition of the Nations League. The four bottom teams in League C will have a playoff to decide which two nations drop to League D.
How will the Nations League affect Euro 2024 qualifying?
UEFA has yet to confirm the qualifying process for Euro 2024 though it is expected to be ratified in June 2022.
It expected that there will be 10 groups, with the top two nations in each group qualifying alongside hosts Germany. The remaining three places are expected to be decided by playoffs, with one qualification path allocated to Leagues A, B and C.
How much is the UEFA Nations League worth?
League A: €2.25m
League B: €1.5m
League C: €1.125m
League D: €750,000
League winners get a double payment. The League A finalists also have a prize pool, 2019 champions Portugal took home a total of €10.5m, Netherlands €9m, England €8m and Switzerland €7m.
When is the next Nations League?
It is expected the next edition will be played in September to November 2024 with the finals in June 2025, but according to report, it is still under review by FIFA.
Reports have suggested that power house South American teams, including Argentina and Brazil, could be added to the competition, Govima sports Confirms.
