By 90min | Created at 2024-11-20 15:04:03 | Updated at 2024-11-20 17:42:14
2 hours ago
The 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group phase has drawn to a close but the fourth iteration of the competition first introduced in 2018 is not yet close to reaching a conclusion.
UEFA have opted for a different approach to this Nations League, with the governing body fittingly deciding more football is needed to appease the masses. As a result, eight teams from League A will progress into the first Nations League quarter-finals next March - with the ties played over two legs - before the semi-finals and final play out in June 2025.
While the bulk of fans keen to enjoy some international action after four months of unrelenting club football will focus their attention on the 'major' nations competing for silverware, the Nations League play-offs are bound to offer drama and a hint of suspense, too.
These ties, based on performances during the 2024/25 group phase, will ultimately shape the competition for its next iteration in 2026/27. England threatened to be involved during Thomas Tuchel's first break in charge, but a late recovery in their maiden League B venture means they've made a swift return to League A.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2024/25 Nations League play-offs.
There are three different play-offs to consider: League C/D play-offs, League C/B play-offs, and League B/A play-offs.
The League B/C and League B/A play-offs will take place on 20 and 23 March 2025, while the League C/D play-offs will not be held until Thursday 26 and Tuesday 31 March 2026.
What do the Nations League play-offs decide?
The Nations League play-offs essentially decide how the leagues will look for the next iteration of the competition in 2026/27.
The four teams who finished bottom of their League A group will face off against the four teams who came second in their League B group over two legs. The winner of these four ties will compete in League A for the 2026/27 Nations League and the four losers will either drop down or remain in League B.
The concept is the same for the League B/C play-offs, only the League C runners-up will be taking on the third-place finishers from League B. Those that rank bottom in League B are automatically relegated.
The League C/D play-offs is made up of just two ties between the two best-ranked fourth-placed teams from League C and two runners-up from League D.
Scotland are hoping to retain their League A status / Adam Nurkiewicz/GettyImages
Eight nations are involved in both the League B/A and League C/B play-offs, while four will compete in the League D/C play-offs.
Here's a rundown of which teams will be involved in each of the 2024/25 Nations League play-offs.
League B/A
Scotland | Third-place A1 |
Belgium | Third-place A2 |
Hungary | Third-place A3 |
Serbia | Third-place A4 |
Ukraine | Runners-up B1 |
Greece | Runners-up B2 |
Austria | Runners-up B3 |
Turkiye | Runners-up B4 |
League B/C
Georgia | Third-place B1 |
Republic of Ireland | Third-place B2 |
Slovenia | Third-place B3 |
Iceland | Third-place B4 |
Slovakia | Runners-up C1 |
Kosovo | Runners-up C2 |
Bulgaria | Runners-up C3 |
Armenia | Runners-up C4 |
League C/D
Latvia | Best ranked fourth-place League C finisher |
Luxembourg | Second-best ranked fourth-place League C finisher |
Gibraltar | Runners-up D1 |
Malta | Runners-up D2 |
When is the 2024/25 Nations League play-offs draw?
The three Nations League play-off draws will be made on the same day as the quarter-finals draw at UEFA HQ in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday 22 November.
The draw is scheduled to get underway at noon CET (11:00 GMT).
