Football · Explainer
What is the UEFA Nations League and why does it matter to England?
UEFA's league format replaced most friendlies in 2018. In four campaigns England have reached the Finals, been relegated and won promotion back.
Photo: Jordan Reay / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
The UEFA Nations League launched in 2018–19 to replace most international friendlies with competitive matches. For England it has already brought a semi-final, a relegation and a promotion.
How it works
Europe's national teams are split into four leagues, A to D, according to their ranking, and each league is divided into groups. Group winners in the lower leagues are promoted and the bottom sides are relegated, so every campaign reshuffles who plays whom. League A is the top tier: its best sides go into the knockout rounds and the Finals, where the Nations League champion is crowned.
Fact file
- First edition
- 2018–19
- Leagues
- A, B, C and D, by ranking
- Movement
- Promotion and relegation after every campaign
- England's best
- Third place at the 2019 Finals
England's campaigns
- 2018–19 Third at the Finals Beaten 3–1 by the Netherlands after extra time in the semi-final in Guimarães, then a 6–5 penalty win over Switzerland after a 0–0 draw.
- 2020–21 Third in the group Three wins, a draw and two defeats in League A Group 2.
- 2022–23 Relegated Three draws and three defeats sent England down to League B.
- 2024–25 Promoted Five wins from six to top League B Group 2 on 15 points, level with Greece.
- 2026–27 Back in League A In Group 3, with the table below.
Football · England
2018–19 UEFA Nations League
- Record
- P6 W2 D2 L2
-
8 Sep
Group A4
v Spain
1–2
England lost
-
12 Oct
Group A4
@ Croatia
0–0
England drew
-
15 Oct
Group A4
@ Spain
3–2
England won
-
18 Nov
Group A4
v Croatia
2–1
England won
-
6 Jun
Semi-final
@ Netherlands
1–3after extra time
England lost
-
9 Jun
Third place play-off
@ Switzerland
0–0won 6–5 on pens
England drew
This campaign
England's 2026–27 group in League A. The table updates as results come in.
Standings
League A Group 3
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2 | England | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 3 | Croatia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Czech Republic | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Why it matters
Beyond bragging rights, Nations League standings feed into seeding for qualifying draws, and the competition can offer a play-off route to major tournaments. Follow England's group table, fixtures and results on our Nations League hub.
ExplainerNations League
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