The 2022-23 Nations League group stages come to an end this week with England and Wales already relegated, Northern Ireland in danger of demotion and Scotland aiming for promotion.
The Nations League is a biennial competition in its third edition. It was first won by Portugal in 2019 and France are the defending champions after beating Spain in the 2021 final.
How does it work?
There are three leagues of 16 teams – each with four groups of four teams – and a fourth tier with seven teams – split into a group of four teams and one of three.
The winners of each group in League A qualify for next year’s finals tournament, while the winners of each group in Leagues B, C and D secure promotion to the next league up.
Teams who finish bottom of their groups in League A and B will be relegated, and those in League C will enter a play-off to decide who drops to League D.
It also decides who goes into the play-offs for Euro 2024.
The winners of each group in Leagues A, B and C qualify for the play-offs. If they qualify for Euro 2024 through the traditional qualifiers, their play-off spot goes to the next best team in their league – or the tier below if everybody in that league has qualified.
The 12 teams split into three play-off groups – with semis and a final, and the winners of each (three teams in total) go to the Euros.
England go down
| P | GD | Pts | |
| 1. Italy | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| 2. Hungary | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| 3. Germany | 6 | 2 | 7 |
| 4. England | 6 | -6 | 3 |
Friday, 23 September: Germany 0-1 Hungary, Italy 1-0 England
Monday, 26 September: England 3-3 Germany, Hungary 0-2 Italy
England will drop down to League B in 2024 after failing to win any of their six games on the way to being relegated.
Hungary needed a point against Italy to seal a place in next year’s finals – but an Azzurri win saw them clinch top spot instead.
Wales relegated as Netherlands seal finals spot
| P | GD | Pts | |
| 1. Netherlands | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| 2. Belgium | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| 3. Poland | 6 | -6 | 7 |
| 4. Wales | 6 | -5 | 1 |
Thursday, 22 September: Belgium 2-1 Wales, Poland 0-2 Netherlands
Sunday, 25 September: Netherlands 1-0 Belgium, Wales 0-1 Poland
Wales were relegated on Sunday after a 1-0 defeat by Poland in Cardiff. It means they go back to League B at the first time of asking.
The Netherlands top the group and earn a place in the finals after a 1-0 win over Belgium in Amsterdam.
Can Scotland go up?
| P | GD | Pts | |
| 1. Scotland | 5 | 6 | 12 |
| 2. Ukraine | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| 3. Republic of Ireland | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 4. Armenia | 5 | -12 | 3 |
Wednesday, 21 September: Scotland 3-0 Ukraine
Saturday, 24 September: Armenia 0-5 Ukraine, Scotland 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Tuesday, 27 September (19:45 BST): Republic of Ireland v Armenia, Ukraine v Scotland
Back-to-back wins in this international window mean Scotland travel to face Ukraine on Tuesday needing just a point to earn promotion, for the second time in three editions, to League A.
However if Scotland lose the game – which is being played in Krakow, Poland, because of the ongoing war in Ukraine – then they would fall below Ukraine, who would earn promotion.
For Republic of Ireland it is all about safety now. They need to avoid defeat against Armenia to stay in League B – defeat would see them relegated.
Can Northern Ireland avoid drop to bottom tier?
| P | GD | Pts | |
| 1. Greece | 5 | 6 | 12 |
| 2. Kosovo | 5 | -1 | 6 |
| 3. Northern Ireland | 5 | -1 | 5 |
| 4. Cyprus | 5 | -4 | 5 |
Saturday, 24 September: Northern Ireland 2-1 Kosovo, Cyprus 1-0 Greece
Tuesday, 27 September (19:45 BST): Greece v Northern Ireland, Kosovo v Cyprus
Northern Ireland won their first Nations League game on Saturday and kept safety in their own hands.
Ian Baraclough’s side will be safe if they avoid defeat regardless of the other result.
Cyprus will enter the relegation play-offs if they lose, unless Northern Ireland lose by a margin of four or more (or possibly three, depending on overall goals scored), or if they draw and Northern Ireland avoid defeat.
Kosovo will enter the relegation play-offs if they lose and Northern Ireland avoid defeat.
What are some other things up for grabs?
Spain face Portugal on Tuesday to decide who goes through to the finals from A2. The latter just need a point, while Spain must win. Relegation will also be decided between Switzerland and the Czech Republic in their game too.
In Group B4, Norway and Serbia meet in the final game to decide who gets promoted to the top league.
What has been decided?
All teams in bold are guaranteed a Euro 2024 play-off place.
A1: Croatia have qualified for the finals. Austria have been relegated.
A3: Italy have qualified for the finals. England have been relegated.
A4: Netherlands have qualified for the finals. Wales have been relegated.
B2: Israel have been promoted. Russia have been relegated without playing.
B3: Bosnia have been promoted. Romania have been relegated.
C1: Turkey have been promoted. Lithuania will play in relegation play-offs.
C2: Greece have been promoted.
C3: Kazakhstan have been promoted. Belarus will play in relegation play-offs.
C4: Georgia have been promoted. Gibraltar will play in relegation play-off.
D1: Latvia have been promoted.
D2: Estonia have been promoted.
