Nations League: Everything You Need to Know

What is the Nations League?

The Nations League is a biennial international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the 55 member associations of UEFA. The competition was approved by UEFA on 25 September 2018 and is designed to replace most international friendly matches played on the FIFA International Match Calendar.

History of the Nations League

The Nations League was created to provide more competitive matches for national teams and to reduce the number of friendly matches played. The competition is divided into four divisions, with the top two divisions being known as League A and League B. The third and fourth divisions are known as League C and League D.

Format of the Nations League

The Nations League is played over two years, with each division having its own format. In League A, the teams are divided into four groups of three teams. The winners of each group advance to the semi-finals, with the winners of the semi-finals advancing to the final. In League B, the teams are divided into four groups of four teams. The winners of each group advance to the play-offs, with the winners of the play-offs advancing to League A.

Benefits of the Nations League

The Nations League has a number of benefits for national teams. It provides more competitive matches, which can help teams to improve their FIFA rankings. It also reduces the number of friendly matches played, which can help to reduce player fatigue and injuries. Additionally, the Nations League provides an opportunity for teams to qualify for the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup.

Nations League