How does the UEFA Nations League work? Groups and dates for 2024/25 tournament

We’re actually hyped for the UEFA Nations League as the Republic of Ireland and England have been drawn in the same group… but how exactly does the tournament work?

To be fair to the UEFA bigwigs, the Nations League is one of their better ideas in recent years as run-of-the-mill friendlies that contributed to international breaks being incredibly dull are a thing of the past and replaced by competitive action.

A total of 54 nations are competing in the Nations League, with the 16 in League A trying to win the whole tournament, the 16 in League B hoping to rise to the top table, the 16 in League C looking to climb to the second tier and the six in League D attempting to escape the bottom set.

There is a trophy up for grabs, although that is only on offer to the nations in the top tier so the Boys In Green and the Three Lions are battling for promotion from League B.

UEFA Nations League odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise, the dates and groups for the 2024/25 tournament can be found below.

Check Out Our Nations League Best Bets: Football Accumulator Tips for Friday | Iceland v Wales Tips | Iceland v Wales Predictions | Football Accumulator Tips for Saturday | Croatia v Scotland Tips | Croatia v Scotland Predictions | Finland v England Tips | Greece v Ireland Tips

UEFA Nations League dates

The League Phase of the UEFA Nations League is scheduled to take place between Thursday, 5th September and Tuesday, 19th November.

Matchday 1: 5th–7th September 2024
Matchday 2: 8th–10th September 2024
Matchday 3: 10th–12th October 2024
Matchday 4: 13th–15th October 2024
Matchday 5: 14th–16th November 2024
Matchday 6: 17th–19th November 2024

The Quarter-Finals for the eight best teams from League A and Play-Offs for League A/B and League B/C are scheduled to take place during the international break in March.

First Leg: 20th March 2025
Second Leg: 23rd March 2025

The Finals will be held during the June international break.

Semi-Finals: 4th-5th June 2025
Third Place: 8th June 2025
Final: 8th June 2025

Despite being the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, the Play-Offs for League C/D will be held in, er, 2026…

First Leg: 26th March 2026
Second Leg: 31st March 2026

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jayson Molumby

UEFA Nations League groups

The 54 nations are split into 14 groups across four leagues.

LEAGUE A

The top two in each group will progress to the Quarter-Finals and the draw – which will see group winners face runners-up – will be held on the 22nd November 2024.

The third-place nations will take part in the League A/B Play-Offs and the draw will also take place on 22nd November 2024.

The teams that finish bottom of their group will be relegated to League B.

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

LEAGUE B

The nations that top their groups will be promoted to League A.

The second-place teams will progress to the League A/B Play-Offs.

The third-place teams will take part in the League B/C Play-Offs.

The nations that finish bottom of their group will be relegated to League C.

Group B1

Czech Republic
Ukraine
Albania
Georgia

Group B2

England
Finland
Republic of Ireland
Greece

Group B3

Austria
Norway
Slovenia
Kazakhstan

Group B4

Wales
Iceland
Montenegro
Turkey

England striker Harry Kane

LEAGUE C

The nations that top their groups will be promoted to League B.

The second-place teams will progress to the League B/C Play-Offs.

The third-place teams will remain in League C.

The nations that finish bottom of their group will take part in the League C/D Play-Offs or be relegated to League D.

Group C1

Sweden
Azerbaijan
Slovakia
Estonia

Group C2

Romania
Kosovo
Cyprus
Lithuania

Group C3

Luxembourg
Bulgaria
Northern Ireland
Belarus

Group C4

Armenia
Faroe Islands
North Macedonia
Latvia

LEAGUE D

The nations that top their groups will be promoted to League C.

The second-place teams will progress to the League C/D Play-Offs.

Group D1

Gibraltar
San Marino
Liechtenstein

Group D2

Moldova
Malta
Andorra

Read More on the UEFA Nations League

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