The 2024-25 Nations League explained
The Nations League returns this week, entering the play-off and knockout stages of the competition.
The group stage of the new-look tournament concluded in November.
Eight teams remain in the main draw, where they will compete to win the tournament itself.
The play-offs will determine whether teams are promoted or relegated from their respective groups.
Confused? Let us explain...
The Nations League quarter-final draw
In League A - the top tier of the Nations League - the teams finishing first and second in each of the four groups progressed to the quarter-finals.
The eight teams were drawn against one another to play two-legged last-eight ties, with the teams listed first playing at home in the opening leg.
The draw is as follows:
Netherlands v Spain
Croatia v France
Italy v Germany
Denmark v Portugal
What about the home nations & Republic of Ireland?
England and Northern Ireland finished as group winners, earning them promotion to Group A and Group B respectively.
The Three Lions secured automatic promotion to League A after winning their group and are therefore not involved in the next round of the Nations League.
The same applies to Wales, who reached the top tier of the competition in November.
Scotland are the only home nation remaining in the tournament, while the Republic of Ireland are also in the play-offs.
The promotion/relegation play-off draw
The play-offs run at the same time as the quarter-finals.
These ties will have teams who finished third in League A playing two-legged ties against second-placed sides from League B, with the winner securing a place in League A.
The third-place teams in League B will face second-placed teams in League C. Again, the winner earns a place in League B.
Finally, the two nations who finished bottom in League C with the best record will play the runners-up of League D.
Georgia v Armenia
Slovenia v Slovakia
Iceland v Kosovo
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria
Serbia v Austria
Scotland v Greece
Hungary v Turkey
Belgium v Ukraine
When is it?
The first legs of the play-offs and quarter-finals are on 20 March, with the second legs taking place three days later on 23 March.
The quarter-final winners will progress to the semi-finals which are single matches that will take place on 4 and 5 June 2025.
How does the Nations League affect World Cup qualifying?
Four teams will qualify for a play-off to reach the World Cup via the Nations League.
They are the four best-ranked group winners who do not go on to finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group next year.
With teams in the top Nations League division highly likely to qualify for the World Cup through European qualifying - and many teams in the second tier too - it gives an extra incentive for teams across Leagues B and C.
By finishing top of Group B2, England are extremely likely to have a World Cup play-off spot banked, with the same situation facing Group B4 winners Wales.
Northern Ireland top C3, which gives them at least a chance, but Scotland are not in the running to get a play-off spot through the Nations League.
The four teams who get into the play-offs via the Nations League will be put in with the 12 teams who finish second in their World Cup qualifying groups - with four spots for 2026 up for grabs.
Seedings for the World Cup qualifying groups will largely be decided by Fifa world rankings, not Nations League finishes.
The exception is that the top seeds will be drawn out of the teams who finish in the top two of each League A group - plus the four top countries by world rankings.
England's world ranking of fourth - third in Europe - means they are highly likely to be top seeds despite not having been in League A.
-
USA vs. Panama: How to watch Concacaf Nations League Soccer, game time and more
How to watch the USMNT play Panama in the Nations League semi-finals this week.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Canada vs. Mexico: How to watch Concacaf Nations League Soccer tonight, game time and more
How to watch the Canada play Mexico in the Nations League semifinals this week.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Tierney return gives Clarke 'a lot to think about' - watch live on BBC
The return of Kieran Tierney has given Scotland head coach Steve Clarke "a lot to think about" going into the Nations League play-off with Greece.BBC News - 11h -
Spain call up Asencio for Nations League quarters
In-form Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio was named Friday in the Spain squad to play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Nations League.Euro 2024 winners Spain, the defending Nations ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Courtois returns from Belgium exile for Nations League duty
Rudi Garcia announced Friday his 26-man squad for Belgium's Nations League play-off tie against Ukraine, which included Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the first time since June ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Squares is back! Play BBC Sport's new Champions League game
Welcome to Uefa Champions League Squares - the new BBC Sport game which you can play alongside the live match action.BBC News - Mar. 12 -
Scotland add striker Hirst for Nations League ties
Ipswich Town forward George Hirst is added to Scotland's squad for the Nations League A play-off with Greece.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
CONCACAF Nations League coaches hope their tournament this weekend has no political undertones
The coaches of the four teams playing for the CONCACAF Nations League title this week think soccer should remain separate from the geopolitical events currently roiling relations among their ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
How to watch Shaun White's Snow League half-pipe competition
Olympic snowboarder Shaun White's brand-new halfpipe league debuts this week, here's how to watch the first competition live from Aspen, CO.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 6
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Lions sign veteran free agent cornerback to boost the roster
Lions sign veteran free agent cornerback Rock Ya-Sin to boost the rosterYahoo Sports - 23m -
Iowa Basketball Conference MVPs: South Central
Iowa Preps names our conference MVPs in each age group for the basketball season now! SUBSCRIBERS: CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE!----------------------- What other coverage am I ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
PA Football Top Returning Players - Philadelphia Public Liberty Defense
PA Preps names the top returning players for this conference for the 2025 season now! SUBSCRIBERS: Click to the see the full article here now!----------------- What other coverage am I ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Amir Khan's 5 best social media moments as the McNeese State student manager goes viral
Amir Khan is already a 2025 March Madness celebrity.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
How to watch Alabama vs. Tennessee this weekend: Time, TV channel for Top 15 series
It's Alabama vs. Tennessee in a ranked SEC baseball series. Here's how to watch, including time, channel, TV schedule and streaming info.Yahoo Sports - 25m
More in Sports
-
Games eye L.A. 'rebirth,' Kendrick Lamar role
After deadly fires devastated much of Los Angeles, organizers of the 2028 Games told the IOC how the city will rebuild with their help.ESPN - 22m -
Lions sign veteran free agent cornerback to boost the roster
Lions sign veteran free agent cornerback Rock Ya-Sin to boost the rosterYahoo Sports - 23m -
Iowa Basketball Conference MVPs: South Central
Iowa Preps names our conference MVPs in each age group for the basketball season now! SUBSCRIBERS: CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE!----------------------- What other coverage am I ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
PA Football Top Returning Players - Philadelphia Public Liberty Defense
PA Preps names the top returning players for this conference for the 2025 season now! SUBSCRIBERS: Click to the see the full article here now!----------------- What other coverage am I ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Amir Khan's 5 best social media moments as the McNeese State student manager goes viral
Amir Khan is already a 2025 March Madness celebrity.Yahoo Sports - 25m