The 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, the fourth edition of the competition, began in September 2024 and will culminate in June 2025. Here’s a breakdown of how it works this season:
Tournament Structure
The competition divides the 54 UEFA member nations into four leagues (A, B, C, and D), each featuring groups determined by team rankings from the previous Nations League edition. Each team in the groups plays home-and-away fixtures. League A and B have four groups of four teams each, League C has four groups of four, and League D has two groups of three. League A group winners and runners-up will advance to a new knockout round in March 2025 to decide the teams that will compete in the Final Four.
Promotion and Relegation
The Nations League emphasizes competitive balance with promotion and relegation. Teams that finish last in Leagues A and B groups are relegated, while group winners from Leagues B, C, and D are promoted to the next league for the following season. League C teams have additional play-offs to determine which two teams are relegated to League D.
Knockout Rounds and Finals
The League A quarter-finals and play-offs for promotion/relegation will take place from March 20 to March 25, 2025. The Final Four will then occur between June 4 and June 8, 2025, with semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and the final match.
Link to 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification
In addition to its standalone value, the Nations League provides a route for European teams to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The four highest-ranked Nations League group winners who did not secure qualification through the standard World Cup qualifying group stage will participate in play-offs for a spot at the World Cup.
Key Dates for the 2024-25 Season
- League Phase: Runs from September 5, 2024, to November 19, 2024.
- Knockout Rounds: March 20-25, 2025.
- Final Four: June 4-8, 2025.
The tournament's unique structure, featuring promotion, relegation, and World Cup qualification pathways, aims to create more meaningful matches for teams across all UEFA member nations