ascent and descent
The four bottom teams in Division A are relegated. In Division B, the group winners are promoted and those bottom of the group are relegated. The four group winners in Division C are also promoted, but only two of the group bottoms are relegated. Since Division D consists of only two groups (one with four teams, one with three teams), there are only two promoted teams. The four bottom of Division C play in two so-called playouts two relegated teams with a first and second leg without an away goal rule.
54 out of 55 associations take part
Divisions A, B and C each play in four groups with four teams each. However, only three teams are represented in Group 2 of Division B, as Russia was excluded from the competition by UEFA over the war of aggression against Ukraine. Belarus, on the other hand, is allowed to take part, but has to play its formal home games on a neutral pitch and without spectators.
Ukraine will play their two formal home games in Lodz, Poland in June.
This is how 54 of UEFA’s 55 member associations start the 2022/23 Nations League.
Small associations with a significantly higher chance of qualifying for the European Championship
The competition, which continues to be viewed with disparagement in the major football nations, is very popular with smaller associations. Because about them Nations League Is there a chance to qualify for a major tournament? UEFA has not yet published exactly what this should look like for the 2024 European Championship in Germany.
In contrast to the pan-European European Championship 2020, apart from the usual qualification, there are only three starting places available, not four. Germany will definitely be the host in 2024.
For qualifying over the Nations League should again apply that the best teams of each division, which have not yet secured a place in the usual way, can advance to the playoffs.