What’s new in the fourth edition of the UEFA Nations League?
The UEFA Nations League is back for its fourth edition, just two months after Spain’s victory in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
This season introduces a revamped competition format, with quarter-finals scheduled for March 2025. The top two teams from each group in League A will progress to the knockout stages, while the semi-finals are set to take place in June 2025.
Teams finishing third in League A and second in League B will battle it out in promotion/relegation playoffs, as will teams from League B and C.
In addition, the Nations League now has direct implications for World Cup qualification. The 12 group winners from the UEFA World Cup qualifiers will earn automatic spots in the tournament, while four more places will be determined through playoffs. These playoffs will feature 12 runners-up from the qualifiers, along with the four highest-ranked Nations League teams that haven’t qualified directly.
Spain Defends Its Title
Fresh off their Euro 2024 achievement, following their victory over England in the final, Spain is gearing up to defend their Nations League crown.
Under the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente, the squad is loaded with young talent, including rising stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. They are joined by newcomers like former Barcelona defender Óscar Mingueza, now at Celta Vigo, and Valencia midfielder Pepelu.
De la Fuente expressed his ambitions, saying, “We will keep fighting and aim to go as far as possible in every competition.”
England Enters a New Era
England embarks on a new chapter without long-time coach Gareth Southgate, who stepped down after eight years of coaching the team, failing to win the Euro 2024 title. The FA has temporarily appointed Lee Carsley, the U21 coach, to guide the “Three Lions” for upcoming matches against Ireland in Dublin and Finland at Wembley.
However, the FA is still on the hunt for Southgate’s permanent successor, with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers looming in March 2025.
The squad has seen several notable absences, including Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins. In their place, players like Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, and Angel Gomes have earned their first call-ups.
Several national teams are also stepping into new eras with fresh leadership at the helm
Ireland’s match against England will be the first game for their new Icelandic coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, who is 57 years old and was previously the coach of Jamaica. He was appointed in July and will also lead the Irish team in the World Cup qualifiers.
Ex-Wales striker Craig Bellamy replaces Rob Page following Wales’ failure to qualify for Euro 2024.
Sweden has brought in former Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson as their new coach, and Romania has reappointed the legendary Mircea Lucescu, 38 years after his initial tenure.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Enduring Legacy
Despite a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where he went goalless in five matches and Portugal bowed out in the quarter-finals, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t hanging up his boots just yet. The 39-year-old Al-Nassr star has once again been called up by coach Roberto Martínez for Portugal’s Nations League fixtures.
Portugal plays in Group A of League A alongside Croatia, Scotland, and Poland.
With Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos sidelined by injury, Ronaldo the all-time top scorer for his national team, is expected to remain as a starter.
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