Nations League groups draw LIVE: England draw Ireland and Greece, while Scotland will take on Portugal
England were relegated last time out and so will be in League B
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The 2024/25 Nations League begins in September of this year after the conclusion of the European Championship, with the final set for next summer in early June.
England were in League B after being relegated from the top-tier League A last time around and will take on the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece in their group.
Scotland were promoted to the top tier, so are the home nations’ highest-ranked side at the competition and will play against Croatia, Portugal and Poland.
Wales were drawn in Group B4 along with Iceland, Montenegro, Turkey while Northern Ireland in League C were put in a group along with Luxembourg, Bulgaria, and Belarus.
The tournament which has split opinion for some time: while plenty of managers and players do not appreciate extra matches thrust upon them of at least a semi-competitive nature, Uefa are adamant that the removal of most friendly fixtures is a positive.
Follow all the build-up and the main group stage draw live below:
Uefa Nations League draw
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has confirmed he will not stand for reelection in 2027, ending his tenure at the top of European football’s governing body after three terms.
Current rules state that no president may serve for longer than three terms of office, with partial terms also counting towards this time limit. Ceferin took over in 2016, replacing Michel Platini after he resigned following a football ban handed to him, meaning he could not remain in place beyond ‘27 unless statues were changed.
And an apparent attempt to change those before this week’s Uefa Congress meeting in Paris would have meant the part-term served by the Slovenian no longer counted towards his total time in power, leaving him free to be in the running to stay in office until 2031.
Ceferin takes shot at former Uefa ally after announcing departure as president
Zvonimir Boban resigned in protest at proposed rule changes and Uefa will have a new leader by 2027
Uefa Nations League draw
Here is a story that emerged recently, about Uefa, written by The Independent’s chief football writer Miguel Delaney:
With a statement that initially seemed as clear as you can get, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin created a world of confusion. Such words might well describe a legacy that always lacked strategic coherence if the Slovenian does indeed step down in 2027.
In a rare press conference after the 48th Uefa Congress in Paris, however, Ceferin came out with the following. “I have decided, let’s say around six months ago, that I’m not planning to run in 2027 any more.”
So, Uefa could well have new leadership. That only opened up a host of new questions.
Uefa president’s unexpected exit could yet have a twist in the tale
Comment: Aleksander Ceferin’s move comes amid mounting criticism but, as Miguel Delaney explains, the Slovenian’s rant after a perceived resignation at the Paris Congress leaves mystery surrounding his motives
Uefa Nations League draw
England have not played against Greece since an international friendly in 2006, when John Terry, Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch were on target in a 4-0 win.
Uefa Nations League draw
England have only played against Finland twice in their history.
Both in the 21st century, a 2-1 win over Finland in 2001, and a 0-0 draw in October 2000.
Uefa Nations League draw
England have not played Ireland in a competitive match since the 1990 World Cup, when they played out a 1-1 draw.
Uefa Nations League draw
Group A1: Croatia, Portugal, Poland, Scotland
Group A2: Italy, Belgium, France, Israel
Group A3: Netherlands, Hungary, Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group A4: Spain, Denmark, Switzerland Serbia
Uefa Nations League draw
Group A1: Croatia, Portugal, Poland
Group A2: Italy, Belgium, France
Group A3: Netherlands, Hungary, Germany
Group A4: Spain, Denmark
Uefa Nations League Draw
Group A1: Croatia, Portugal
Group A2: Italy, Belgium
Group A3: Netherlands, Hungary
Group A4: Spain, Denmark
Uefa Nations League Draw
Group A1: Croatia
Group A2: Italy
Group A3: Netherlands
Group A4: Spain
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