The first ever UEFA Nations League begins this September and here is all you need to know about exactly how it will work.
The World Cup may not be over yet but for the majority of European coaches, at least the ones outside of the four that remain in contention in Russia, it is time to look ahead. Normally, the next thing on their agenda would be qualification for the European Championships in 2020. Not this time around though. Next on Europe's international calendar is the first ever UEFA Nations League.
UEFA is made up of 55 nations and those countries have been split up into four divisions. The divisions have been put together based on the ability of the teams within them, so the countries that are deemed to be Europe's best are in League A. Each division is also split into four groups. The teams within each group will all play each other twice, home and away, starting this September. You can check out the full breakdown in the graphic below.
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It's pretty confusing but brace yourself because if you're still with us, here comes more. The winners of each group in each division will be promoted to the division above, replacing the four teams that finish at the bottom of their groups. Teams in League A obviously have nowhere to be promoted to, so instead, the four winners will be entered into a playoff. After the semifinals and final, a UEFA Nations League winner will be crowned.
UEFA has also announced that the Nations League will play a part in qualification for Euro 2020. While the qualification process will take place as normal, those who don't qualify will have a second chance via the Nations League. Each group winner in League A will also be entered into a playoff for entry into Euro 2020. If that side has already qualified, rankings will be used to determine that team's replacement.
As we have said already, it is all very confusing, and reading all of this may very well have only confused you further. Luckily we still have two more months to try and get our heads around it all before the first ever UEFA Nations League begins. Hopefully, as the matches and permutations unfold before our very eyes, the confusing elements of the whole process will become clearer.