UEFA Nations League: Everything you need to know & how it works
- 2024/25 UEFA Nations League draw is imminent
- Minor changes to format with quarter-final round added for upcoming iteration
- Spain are the holders are triumphing in 2023
The 2024/25 UEFA Nations League will get underway towards the end of the calendar year in what will be the fourth iteration of the competition.
The initiative has brought about greater competitiveness to the international calendar, with the upcoming Nations League also having an impact on qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming edition of the UEFA Nations League...
What is the UEFA Nations League?
First introduced as recently as 2019, the aim of the Nations League is to add 'more sporting meaning' to international football and reduce 'meaningless friendlies', per UEFA.
It is a competition that involves all European member nations and essentially eradicates the need (and the time) for those international breaks for meaningless friendlies.
What is the UEFA Nations League format?
The 54 member nations have been split into four divisions: A to D.
The strongest countries are in A, with the 'Leagues' getting progressively weaker as you go along the alphabet.
Leagues A, B and C feature four groups of four countries (16 teams each), while there are six teams in League D (two groups of three).
The sides who finish bottom in Leagues A and B will be relegated to the next lower league. Because League C has four groups and League D only has two, League C relegation is determined by 'play-outs' in March of even-numbered years. We'll also see relegation/promotion play-offs between third-ranked teams in League A and the runners-up of League C.
A quarter-final round has been included for the 2024/25 Nations League, with League A group winners and runners-up being drawn alongside each other with a place in the finals at stake. These ties will be played over two legs.
When is the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League draw?
The draw for the 2024/25 Nations League League phase will take place in Paris on 8 February 2024 at 18:00 CET.
2024/25 UEFA Nations League fixture dates
- Matchdays 1 & 2: 5-10 September 2024
- Matchdays 3 & 4: 10-15 October 2024
- Matchdays 5 & 6: 14-19 November 2024
- League A quarter finals & promotion/relegation play-offs: 20-25 March 2025
- Semi-finals: 4-5 June 2025
- Final & third-place match: 8 June 2025
How to watch the UEFA Nations League on TV/live stream
Channel 4 previously secured the UK broadcast rights for England's Nations League matches in 2022, with the games also available to watch online on their streaming platform All 4. Notable matches not involving England have been broadcasted in the UK via Viaplay Sports.
In the US, Fox Sports and fuboTV have partnered to provide English-language coverage.
Who will host the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League finals?
The hosts of the 2024/25 Nations League finals will be decided once the four finalists are confirmed. One of the four teams that qualify for the finals in June 2025 will host the event.
Previous UEFA Nations League winners
Year | Winners | Runners-up | Score in final |
|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Portugal | Netherlands | 1-0 |
2021 | France | Spain | 2-1 |
2023 | Spain | Croatia | 0-0 (5-4p) |
UEFA Nations League prize money
Every Nations League team receives an initial payment for participating, although the size of this sum depends on the League in which they compete. In League A, the amount is €1,500,000; in League B, €1,000,000; in League C, €750,000; and in League D, €500,000.
The winner of each group then receives a bonus which is once again dependent on the League. A group win in League A garners a €750,000 bonus, while €250,000 is awarded to League D group winners.
Spain received €10m in prize money for winning the previous iteration of the Nations League. Runners-up Croatia earned €9m, while third-place Italy and fourth-place Netherlands pocketed €8m and €7m respectively.
When will the next UEFA Nations League be played?
The fourth instalment of the Nations League will be played from September to November 2024 with the finals scheduled for June 2025.
How will 2024/25 UEFA Nations League impact 2026 World Cup qualifying
UEFA's 2026 World Cup qualifying will begin after the League phase of the Nations League concludes in November.
Qualifying starts in March 2025 and concludes a year later in March 2026. The 12 group winners will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, with the 12 runners-up competing in the play-offs. They'll be joined by the four highest-ranked teams from the 2024/25 iteration of the Nations League that haven't already qualified or made the play-offs.
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