The current international break will see the culmination of the Nations League group stages, meaning promotions, relegations and progression to next summer’s finals will all be secured over the next week.
The action began on Wednesday when Scotland beat Ukraine at Hampden Park, with matches then taking place every night until Tuesday.
Some of the continent’s biggest sides, including England and France, are close to dropping out of the top league, while Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are also in danger of relegation.
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Image: England are bottom of their Nations League group with two matches to play
Scotland have enjoyed a more productive campaign and are in contention for promotion to the top tier, while Denmark and the Netherlands are within touching distance of claiming their places in the final four.
But with three months having passed since the most recent Nations League fixtures, here’s a reminder of the league tables, the games still to be played and what’s at stake over the next seven days.
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How does the Nations League work?
Image: France celebrate their Nations League victory over Spain in the final in October 2021
Europe’s sides have been divided into four leagues, with A, B and C containing 16 teams and D containing seven. Leagues A, B and C have then been split into four groups of four, while League D has one group of four and one of three.
Teams grouped together are playing each other home and away. The group winners in Leagues B, C and D will be promoted to the next league up, while the teams finishing bottom of their groups in Leagues A, B and C will be relegated to the lower division.
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There is no relegation from League D, while the four group winners in League A will progress to the finals, which will be held next summer.
What else is at stake?
Image: North Macedonia qualified for Euro 2020 through the play-offs, which they reached thanks to their Nations League performance
Performance in the Nations League will also be used to determine seeding for Euro 2024 qualifying, with the draw taking place on October 9 and matches being held between March and November 2023.
Teams that fail to reach Euro 2024 through qualifying can still reach the tournament via the play-offs, which are decided by Nations League placings.
The teams that finish highest in their groups – and do not qualify for Euro 2024 at the first attempt – in Leagues A, B and C will be entered into the play-offs, which take place in March 2024.
Each league will have four teams in its play-off section, with semi-finals and finals being played to determine which sides – one from each of Leagues A, B and C – secure a place at Euro 2024.
The current state of play
The final two matchdays will take place during the current international break but, despite the end of the group stage being near, only one team has secured promotion, while none of the relegation places have been decided.
League A
Group A1
Group A1: Remaining fixtures
- Croatia vs Denmark – Zagreb, Thursday September 22
- France vs Austria – Saint-Denis, Thursday September 22
- Austria vs Croatia – Vienna, Sunday September 25
- Denmark vs France – Copenhagen, Sunday September 25
France are the reigning Nations League champions but have already blown their chances of retaining their title after picking up just two points from their first four fixtures.
Didier Deschamps’ world champions lost at home to Denmark and Croatia in June, meaning they cannot top Group A1 and have no chance of reaching next summer’s finals.
The remaining three sides can all still finish first but, realistically, top spot looks to be a two-horse race between current leaders Denmark and second-placed Croatia.
Thursday night will be key to deciding the fate of the four sides. If Denmark win in Zagreb then they will guarantee their status as group winners with a match to spare, while an Austria win in France will consign the hosts to relegation.
Group A2
Group A2: Remaining fixtures
- Czech Republic vs Portugal – Prague, Saturday September 24
- Spain vs Switzerland – Zaragoza, Saturday September 24
- Portugal vs Spain – Braga, Tuesday September 27
- Switzerland vs Czech Republic – St Gallen, Tuesday September 27
Everything is still very much to play for in Group A2, with the only certainty being that Spain cannot be relegated to League B.
Luis Enrique’s side – who finished as runners-up in the previous Nations League – are currently top of the table and will ensure they remain there if they beat bottom-placed Switzerland in Zaragoza on Saturday and then avoid defeat to Portugal on Tuesday.
Portugal are Spain’s nearest challengers, meaning next week’s fixture between the sides in Braga could determine who qualifies for next summer’s finals.
Czech Republic can theoretically still finish top but a battle to finish above Switzerland and avoid relegation seems more likely. The meeting between the two teams in St Gallen on Tuesday is likely to be key.
Group A3
Group A3: Remaining fixtures
- Germany vs Hungary – Leipzig, Friday September 23
- Italy vs England – Milan, Friday September 23
- England vs Germany – Wembley, Monday September 26
- Hungary vs Italy – Budapest, Monday September 26
When A3 was drawn, Hungary quickly appeared to be the favourites to finish bottom of this highly-competitive group, but Marco Rossi’s side have collected seven points from their first four games and currently sit top of the table.
Hungary’s most recent fixture saw them pull off a shock 4-0 win over England at Wembley in June. Their game against Germany in Leipzig on Friday will be crucial, with the winners knowing another victory on the final matchday on Monday will guarantee them a spot in the finals.
Italy are just two points behind Hungary and face them in Budapest next week, meaning the European champions are very much still in contention in Group A3.
The only team that cannot reach the finals are England, who are winless and face a tough task to avoid the ignominy of relegation to League B for the first time.
Defeat to Italy on Friday will confirm relegation for Gareth Southgate’s team, who realistically must win in Milan and at home to Germany on Monday if they want to stay up.
Group A4
Group A4: Remaining fixtures
- Belgium vs Wales – Brussels, Thursday September 22
- Poland vs Netherlands – Warsaw, Thursday September 22
- Netherlands vs Belgium – Amsterdam, Sunday September 25
- Wales vs Poland – Cardiff, Sunday September 25
A4 has proven to be the least competitive of the League A groups, with the Netherlands and Belgium in a two-way fight for top spot and Poland and Wales scrapping to avoid relegation.
The former sides currently have the upper hand in both cases, with the Netherlands’ three-point lead at the top of the group meaning four points from their final two matches – away to Poland and at home to Belgium – will be enough to qualify for the finals.
Wales know that winning their final two games – away to Belgium and at home to Poland – will be enough to remain in League A.
That will be easier said than done, however, and Rob Page’s side will be hoping that Poland, who are currently three points clear of Wales, remain in touching distance when they meet in Cardiff on Monday on the final matchday.
League B
Group B1
Group B1: Remaining fixtures
- Armenia vs Ukraine – Yerevan, Saturday September 24
- Scotland vs Republic of Ireland – Glasgow, Saturday September 24
- Republic of Ireland vs Armenia – Dublin, Tuesday September 27
- Ukraine vs Scotland – Krakow (Poland), Tuesday September 27
The challenge to finish top in Group B1 is still wide open thanks to Scotland and Ukraine. Steve Clarke’s side are currently two points clear after their 3-0 win against the Ukrainians on Wednesday.
The pair face each other again in Krakow on Tuesday – designated as Ukraine’s home match – which could decide which of Ukraine or Scotland are promoted to League A with both playing another game in between.
The Republic of Ireland can still finish top but, given they are three points behind Ukraine and have played a game more, finishing above bottom-placed Armenia and avoiding the drop into League C is their most pressing issue.
Stephen Kenny’s side host Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday, with a win being enough to guarantee safety.
Group B2
Group B2: Remaining fixtures
- Israel vs Albania – Tel Aviv, Saturday September 24
- Albania vs Iceland – Tirana, Tuesday September 27
Only two fixtures still need to be played in B2 due to Russia’s disqualification after their invasion of Ukraine but all three remaining sides can still finish top of the group.
Israel will guarantee promotion to League A if they beat Albania on Saturday. However, a win for Albania in Tel Aviv means the winner of their clash with Iceland on Tuesday will go up at the expense of Israel.
If Israel and Albania draw, then Albania will be unable to finish top, but Iceland will do so if they win and score more than once away to Albania.
Russia’s ban means they will automatically be relegated to League C.
Group B3
Group B3: Remaining fixtures
- Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Montenegro – Zenica, Friday September 23
- Finland vs Romania – Helsinki, Friday September 23
- Montenegro vs Finland – Podgorica, Monday September 26
- Romania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bucharest, Monday September 26
Bosnia and Herzegovina are well positioned for promotion to League A and will secure that achievement if they beat Montenegro at home on Friday.
However, a win for Montenegro means they will be able to finish top if they follow that up with a victory at home to Finland on Monday.
Finland can also claim top spot but must take three points at home to Romania and away to Montenegro, while hoping Bosnia and Herzegovina fail to win both their matches, if they are to do so.
Romania are currently bottom of Group B3 and will be relegated if they lose in Finland – who are a point ahead of them – on Friday. A draw or a Romania win means the battle to avoid the drop will go down to the final matchday.
Group B4
Group B4: Remaining fixtures
- Slovenia vs Norway – Ljubljana, Saturday September 24
- Serbia vs Sweden – Belgrade, Saturday September 24
- Norway vs Serbia – Oslo, Tuesday September 27
- Sweden vs Slovenia – Solna, Tuesday September 27
Promotion from Group B4 to League A is a two-horse race between Norway and Serbia, with the former holding a three-point advantage with two matches to go.
If Norway claim four points from their final two games – the second of which is at home to Serbia on Tuesday – then they will secure top spot. But a defeat for Norway in Slovenia on Saturday, coupled with a Serbia win at home to Sweden, means promotion will go to the victor of the match between the top two sides in Oslo.
Relegation may also be decided on the final matchday, when bottom side Slovenia travel to Sweden, who sit one place and one point above their visitors. However, Sweden will guarantee survival if they win both of their remaining matches.
League C
Group C1
Group C1: Remaining fixtures
- Lithuania vs Faroe Islands – Vilnius, Thursday September 22
- Turkey vs Luxembourg – Istanbul, Thursday September 22
- Faroe Islands vs Turkey – Torshavn, Sunday September 25
- Luxembourg vs Lithuania – Luxembourg, Sunday September 25
Turkey’s vastly superior goal difference means they essentially need just a single point from their final two games – at home to Luxembourg and away to the Faroe Islands – to secure promotion to League B.
However, Luxembourg still have a faint hope of overhauling Turkey, and will do so if they win in Istanbul on Thursday and at home to Lithuania on Sunday, when they also need Turkey to lose against the Faroe Islands.
Lithuania are on the verge of relegation and will have that status confirmed if they don’t win at home to the Faroe Islands on Thursday. Their dire goal difference means they will likely need to then win in Luxembourg and hope the Faroe Islands lose against Turkey if they are to stay up.
Group C2
Group C2: Remaining fixtures
- Northern Ireland vs Kosovo – Belfast, Saturday September 24
- Cyprus vs Greece – Larnaca, Saturday September 24
- Greece vs Northern Ireland – Athens, Tuesday September 27
- Kosovo vs Cyprus – Prishtina, Tuesday September 27
C2 is the only one of the 14 Nations League groups in which promotion has already been decided; Greece will be playing in League B next time around after winning all four of their opening fixtures.
The relegation situation is still up in the air, though, with Northern Ireland in the thick of things. Ian Baraclough’s side have just two points from a possible 12 and only sit above bottom-placed Cyprus on goal difference.
Northern Ireland are likely to stay up if they win both their matches against Kosovo and Greece but would still need Cyprus to drop points against either Greece or Kosovo to be sure.
Kosovo are four points clear of relegation but would be dragged into danger if they lose at Windsor Park on Saturday.
Group C3
Group C3: Remaining fixtures
- Kazakhstan vs Belarus – Astana, Thursday September 22
- Slovakia vs Azerbaijan – Trnava, Thursday September 22
- Azerbaijan vs Kazakhstan – Baku, Sunday September 25
- Slovakia vs Belarus – Trnava, Sunday September 25
Kazakhstan are in prime position to finish top of Group C3 and will secure a place in League B if they beat bottom-side Belarus at home on Thursday.
Belarus are two points from safety and may need to win both of their matches and hope Azerbaijan drop points if they are to stay up, given they have already played both of their games against the third-placed side.
A win for Slovakia at home to Azerbaijan on Thursday will ensure they cannot be relegated, but they must also beat Belarus in Bucharest on Sunday and hope that Kazakhstan win neither of their remaining fixtures if they want to finish top.
Azerbaijan still have a glimmer of hope when it comes to promotion but must beat Slovakia and Kazakhstan while also hoping the latter lose against Belarus if they are to go up.
Group C4
Group C4: Remaining fixtures
- Georgia vs North Macedonia – Tbilisi, Friday September 23
- Bulgaria vs Gibraltar – Razgrad, Friday September 23
- Gibraltar vs Georgia – Gibraltar, Monday September 26
- North Macedonia vs Bulgaria – Skopje, Monday September 26
Promotion from Group C4 is between Georgia and North Macedonia, who face off in Tbilisi on Friday. Anything other than a win for the visitors is likely to secure top spot for the hosts, who are three points clear in first place and have a far superior goal difference.
Bulgaria and Gibraltar are the only two sides that can be relegated and come head-to-head in Razgrad on Friday night. A win for the home side, who are two points clear of the bottom-placed visitors, will secure survival.
Draws or wins for North Macedonia and Gibraltar in those matches will ensure the battles for promotion and relegation from Group C4 go down to the final matchday on Monday.
League D
Group D1
Group D1: Remaining fixtures
- Latvia vs Moldova – Riga, Thursday September 22
- Liechtenstein vs Andorra – Vaduz, Thursday September 22
- Andorra vs Latvia – Andorra la Vella, Sunday September 25
- Moldova vs Liechtenstein – Chisinau, Sunday September 25
Latvia are in pole position for promotion to League C, a fate they can secure simply by avoiding defeat at home to Moldova on Thursday.
Should they lose that game, Latvia will still finish top if they win in Andorra on Sunday.
Moldova must win in Latvia and at home to Liechtenstein, while hoping Latvia also fall to defeat against Andorra, if they are to claim top spot.
Neither Andorra nor Liechtenstein can finish top.
Group D2
Group D2: Remaining fixtures
- Estonia vs Malta – Tallinn, Friday September 23
- San Marino vs Estonia – Serravalle, Monday September 26
A win or a draw for Estonia at home to Malta on Friday will confirm promotion to League C for the hosts.
Estonia can still claim top spot even if they lose to Malta, but would have to beat San Marino – who are guaranteed to finish bottom – on Monday and ensure they finish with a superior goal difference to their rivals.
Sourse: skysports.com
