UEFA Nations League

Hang on, the winner of the bottom 'league' gets a spot at the Euros?!?!

Quoted from GrimRob

I think the concept of having short world cups and euros in one place is a bit dated. But we have them, if we started again from scratch we probably wouldn't. It stems from the early part of the 20th century when travel was difficult so putting everyone in one place for a month made sense.

This is a third tournament in addition to the world cups and euros which bridges the gap. So rather than play friendlies, we will play other teams in our "group" and there would always be something to play for. It's a bit like the Davis Cup in tennis.

I like meaningful games. I rarely watch England friendlies except just before the major tournaments, because there is nothing to play for. So it gets the thumbs up from me!

I hadn't heard a thing about it until now. It does sound quite bizarre when you start reading about it but it does eventually make a bit of sense. Slightly controversial that the one of the bottom ranking sides are guaranteed a place at the 2020 Euro's but it gives smaller nations encouragement, I suppose. Generally, I think I'm for the idea. Although, I can see some nations getting deliberately relegated to get into an easier group to have a better chance at qualification.

A shortened(ish) version of how I understand it works...

4 Leagues  (based on coefficient rankings)  - A (top 12 teams), B (next 12 teams), C (next 15 teams), D (last16 teams)

Each League is split into 4 groups

League A & B - 4 groups of 3
League C - 1 group of 3, 3 groups of 4
League D - 4 groups of 4

The winner of each group in League A will go through to the Nations League Finals (semi-final, third place, final)  played in June 2019 in one of the 4 countries.  The winner of the League A play-off will be crowned UEFA Nations League Champions.

The 4 winners of each group from League B, C & D will be promoted to the next League up.

The bottom 4 teams of each group from A, B & C will be relegated to the next League down.

The normal Euro qualification will start March 2019 with 10 groups (5 groups of 5 & 5 groups of 6) with the top 2 sides qualifying for the Euro 2020 finals.

The top four-ranked League A teams that do not qualify for UEFA EURO 2020 will enter play-offs in March 2020, with one finals place on offer.
The top four-ranked League B teams that do not qualify for UEFA EURO 2020 will enter play-offs in March 2020, with one finals place on offer.
The top four-ranked League C teams that do not qualify for UEFA EURO 2020 will enter play-offs in March 2020, with one finals place on offer.
The top four-ranked League D teams that do not qualify for UEFA EURO 2020 will enter play-offs in March 2020, with one finals place on offer.

I am not sure what would happen if, given all the League A teams will be seeded, where to qualify or only one of them not to. Will they automatically qualify given everybody else from League A has qualified so there would be nobody to play-off against?

But how come the 2024,Euro finals will be held in Dubai ? 😉

Because the Arabs have enough money to buy what they want.