Across Europe’s international calendar, the Nations League is designed to replace a portion of the old friendly-match schedule with competitive fixtures between sides of comparable strength. Its four-tier structure will continue to shape promotion, relegation and the route to the tournament’s final stage, with another format adjustment due from 2028/29.
Key takeaways
- European national teams are placed across four Nations League divisions.
- The top two teams in every League A group qualify for the quarter-finals.
- Group winners in Leagues B and C earn automatic promotion.
- League A’s two lowest fourth-placed teams are relegated directly.
- Every League D team will move into League C when the revised format begins in 2028/29.
How the competition moves through its divisions
League A provides the path towards the trophy. Once the group phase is complete, the first- and second-placed teams from each group progress to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners then reach the final phase.
Below the top division, finishing first in a League B or League C group brings immediate promotion. Teams ending their groups in second place must instead negotiate a play-off for the chance to go up.
Relegation from League A is split between automatic demotion and play-offs. The two weakest teams among those finishing fourth in their groups fall directly, while the remaining places affected by relegation are decided through play-off ties.
A further change awaits in 2028/29: League D’s teams will all be elevated to League C as part of the competition’s new format.
A competition created to give internationals greater weight
The concept emerged in 2011, as European football considered ways to reduce the number of conventional international friendlies. UEFA approved the project in 2014, and the inaugural Nations League was staged in the 2018/19 season.
Its league-based model was intended to make international windows more meaningful while matching national teams against opponents of a similar standard. The result was meant to be closer, more competitive fixtures than the traditional friendly programme often provided.
