Nations League – a bonus route to the World Championship

The European Championship winner Spain begins away against Serbia, France takes on Italy and Erling Braut Haaland chases Norwegian goals against Kazakhstan. The Nations League premiere offers top-notch matches – but what is the Nations League really? Here's most of what you need to know about the national team tournament.

» Updated: September 19 2024

» Published: September 04 2024

Nations League – a bonus route to the World Championship
Photo: Thanassis Stavrakis

+ Good bits in the first round

Stars Lamine Yamal, 17, and Nico Williams, 22, were two of many Spaniards who shone during the European Championship in Germany and together ensured that Spain won the final against England. Now, the duo and their teammates are facing new challenges. In Belgrade, Spain will meet promoted Serbia, a match that is the first in the hunt to defend their title in the Nations League.

Seven goals in four competitive matches. Erling Braut Haaland has really started the season strongly in Manchester City. Now, the 24-year-old will don the Norwegian national team jersey and chase goals in Almaty, Kazakhstan. So far, he has scored 31 goals in 33 international matches.

At Parc des Princes in Paris, France will host Italy and Georgia – one of the European Championship's surprise teams – will meet the Czech Republic at home.

+ Fourth edition of the tournament

The Nations League was introduced in the 2018–2019 season, with the idea of replacing all meaningless friendly matches with competitive international matches of value. Portugal won the first edition, and since then, France and Spain have also lifted the trophy.

+ News before the season

The group winners and runners-up in Division A will meet in quarterfinals – played over two matches, home and away – and the winners will advance to the final, "Final Four".

The fourth-placed teams in A and B will be relegated. The group winners in B, C, and D will be promoted. The third-placed teams in A and the second-placed teams in B, as well as the third-placed teams in B and the second-placed teams in C, will play promotion and relegation matches. Playoffs will also be played between the two best fourth-placed teams in C and the second-placed teams in D.

+ A path to the 2026 World Championship

The group runners-up in the World Cup qualifiers and the four best group winners from the Nations League – who did not succeed in the qualifiers – will reach the playoffs to qualify for the championship in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The 16 nations will be drawn into four "playoff paths", and two wins – semifinal and final – will lead to World Championship tickets.

+ Sweden's Nations League

The 2022–2023 season was far from blue and yellow. Sweden won one of six matches, finished last in the group, and was relegated to Division C. Against Azerbaijan on Thursday, national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson & Co will begin their hunt to climb in the Nations League.

Division A, group 1: Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Croatia. Group 2: Belgium, France, Israel, Italy. Group 3: Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Group 4: Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Serbia.

Division B, group 1: Albania, Georgia, Ukraine, Czech Republic. Group 2: England, Finland, Greece, Ireland. Group 3: Austria, Norway, Slovenia, Kazakhstan. Group 4: Iceland, Turkey, Wales, Montenegro.

Division C, group 1: Sweden, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Slovakia. Group 2: Cyprus, Romania, Lithuania, Kosovo. Group 3: Faroe Islands, Latvia, Armenia, North Macedonia.

Division D, group 1: Liechtenstein, San Marino, Gibraltar. Group 2: Malta, Moldova, Andorra.

Group stage match dates: 5-7 September, 8-10 September, 10-12 October, 13-15 October, 14-16 September, 17-19 November.

What happens next: Playoff matches will be drawn in November and played on 20-25 March. At the same time, quarterfinals in Division A will be played, and on 4-8 June, the battle to lift the trophy awaits.

Thursday: Azerbaijan in Baku at 18.00.

Sunday: Estonia at Strawberry arena at 20.45.

11 October: Slovakia in Bratislava at 20.45.

14 October: Estonia in Tallinn at 20.45.

16 November: Slovakia at Strawberry arena at 20.45.

19 November: Azerbaijan at Strawberry arena at 20.45.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald

More news

Piastri Takes Jeddah Win Ahead
2 MIN READ

Piastri Takes Jeddah Win Ahead of Verstappen

Barcelona Crushes Chelsea 4-1 in
2 MIN READ

Barcelona Crushes Chelsea 4-1 in Champions League Semifinal

Brazilian Upsets World Number One
1 MIN READ

Brazilian Upsets World Number One to Win Table Tennis World Cup

Billborn Fumes: "Even in Division
3 MIN READ

Billborn Fumes: "Even in Division 7, That's Unacceptable"

Arsenal Delays Liverpool's Title Celebration
2 MIN READ

Arsenal Delays Liverpool's Title Celebration

Celina's Classy Goal Secures AIK's
2 MIN READ

Celina's Classy Goal Secures AIK's Top Spot in Allsvenskan

Djurgården's Fallenius Out for Spring
1 MIN READ

Djurgården's Fallenius Out for Spring Season with Fracture

Lewandowski Faces Three-Week Layoff, May
1 MIN READ

Lewandowski Faces Three-Week Layoff, May Miss CL Semifinal

Fleury Praises Gustavsson's Cool Composure
3 MIN READ

Fleury Praises Gustavsson's Cool Composure as Minnesota's Top Goalie

Ingrid Lindblad Tied for First
2 MIN READ

Ingrid Lindblad Tied for First in Thrilling LPGA Tournament Battle

Verstappen Secures Pole in Jeddah
1 MIN READ

Verstappen Secures Pole in Jeddah After Norris Crash

Isak Struggles as Newcastle Falls
1 MIN READ

Isak Struggles as Newcastle Falls 4-1 to Aston Villa

Brynäs Edges Luleå in Overtime
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Edges Luleå in Overtime Thriller to Lead Championship Series

Rangers and Anaheim Dismiss Head
1 MIN READ

Rangers and Anaheim Dismiss Head Coaches After Missing Playoffs

Norrköping's Quickfire Goals Secure Crucial
2 MIN READ

Norrköping's Quickfire Goals Secure Crucial Win Over Halmstad

Felicia Schröder Shines as Häcken
2 MIN READ

Felicia Schröder Shines as Häcken Secures Second Consecutive Victory

Lyon Edges Arsenal 2-1, Eyes
2 MIN READ

Lyon Edges Arsenal 2-1, Eyes 12th Champions League Final

Tuva Skoog Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Tuva Skoog Shines with Two Goals in Malmö FF's 4-1 Victory Over AIK

Sweden Takes Sixth in Ice
1 MIN READ

Sweden Takes Sixth in Ice Hockey World Championship After Close Loss

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels
1 MIN READ

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels Him Up 39 Spots in Shanghai

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out
1 MIN READ

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out for Season After Knee Injury

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach
1 MIN READ

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach of Södertälje Sports Club

Robots Struggle in First Human
1 MIN READ

Robots Struggle in First Human vs. Machine Half-Marathon in Beijing

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's
2 MIN READ

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's Leadership in Tampa Bay

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with
1 MIN READ

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with Overtime Win Over Atlanta

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best
2 MIN READ

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best Round at LPGA in Los Angeles

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's
1 MIN READ

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's Lead Over Moreirense

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve
2 MIN READ

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve Training by Canucks Coach Tocchet

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits
1 MIN READ

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits World Championship in Brazil

Dallas Stars Face Playoffs Without
1 MIN READ

Dallas Stars Face Playoffs Without Top Scorer Jason Robertson

Ludvig Åberg Struggles to Find
1 MIN READ

Ludvig Åberg Struggles to Find Form at RBC Heritage

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward for Alleged Spearing Incident

NHL's Forsberg Eager for World
2 MIN READ

NHL's Forsberg Eager for World Championship, But Confirmation Pending

Thoresen's Pep Talk Fuels Djurgården's
3 MIN READ

Thoresen's Pep Talk Fuels Djurgården's Stunning Comeback Victory

Mjällby Defeats Hammarby 3-1, Ending
2 MIN READ

Mjällby Defeats Hammarby 3-1, Ending Winning Streak

Malmö FF Held to Draw
2 MIN READ

Malmö FF Held to Draw by Sirius: "Supporters Deserve Better"