Nations League: World Cup & Euro qualifying spots on offer
A "League of Nations" that will see countries qualify for the World Cup and European Championship is expected to be given the go-ahead by Uefa on Thursday.
Games would be played in odd-numbered years on dates reserved for friendlies, starting after the 2018 World Cup.
European football's governing body's executive committee has already backed the competition, which would replace major tournament qualifying play-offs.
England are expected to be in a 14-team top tier of four divisions.
An exact format has yet to be confirmed but Spain, Germany, Italy and Netherlands are also likely to be in the top division, which would feature semi-finals and a final at neutral venues.
In the lower divisions, there would be a final to decide promotion, as well as qualifying places for the World Cup and European Championship.
The league will not replace major tournament qualifiers, but would decide the qualification spots - usually four - currently won via play-offs.
While matches will be played on dates reserved for friendlies, there will still be flexibility for smaller countries to arrange high-profile fixtures with bigger European teams and for nations to play friendlies against national sides from outside Europe.
The Football Association is in favour of the plan, with chairman Greg Dyke saying earlier this month: "The hard thing is the detail but I think a Nations League where we played the top nations would be very attractive."http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26747394
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I just hope that they go with a different name that isn't either League of Nations or Nations League, there's a bit of stigma associated with those. If this is going to be European only, maybe just European League. Although both European and Nations aren't technically accurate as several countries playing in UEFA are either not nations, not European, or neither. The name thing isn't really important though, it'll probably be known as the Carlsberg Euro League or something.
At least twice a year I hear people bleat on about how international teams like San Marino, Andorra etc should go into 'mini-leagues' to determine their fate, yet when the idea actually comes up people just want to say its only driven by money.
Every game will count for something in this new system. Its the pointless call ups of young players who hardly do anything to get into the team in the first place which is hurting the credibility of international football.
England can get one of:
Germany
Portugal
Belgium
Spain
Plus one of:
Poland
Iceland
Croatia
Holland
Play home and away between Sept and Nov 2018, with two friendlies as well, as we are in a 'small' group of three.
And the Euro 2020 qualifiers, rather than starting in Sept 18, will start in March 19 and be condensed into a calendar year.
I've always been confused by it and thought it another silly idea, but as it effectively replaces some friendlies, it can only be a good thing I guess.
I'm hoping we get Portugal (autumn Sun) or Belgium (cheap, easy and not played them away since 1970) and Iceland (always wanted to go there)
Bet it will be a Germany and Holland bore fest!!
I dont really understand it either but cant we get 'relegated' as well ?
And for those who don't do well in the qualifiers, this is a fall-back route to qualification.
The semi and final are in June 19 by the way.
will likely head out to one of the away games.
Hoping to avoid Germany not for footballing reasons tbh. We’ve played them so many time in recent years. Already watched England play in Berlin & Dortmund. Even if we played in Munich, I doubt I would bother.
I say that as didn't the UEFA President say about having the rest of the World involved at some stage?
think this'll be the most telling Division out of them all to confirm if it works or not: Gibraltar v Liechtenstein will be a lot easier for them to grow rather than facing Germany or England etc.
Group 1: Andorra, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Georgia.
Group 2: San Marino, Moldova, Luxembourg, Belarus.
Group 3: Kosovo, Malta, Faroe Islands, Azerbaijan
Group 4: Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Macedonia.
Group 1: Israel, Albania, Scotland.
Group 2: Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary.
Group 3: Cyprus, Bulgaria, Norway, Slovenia.
Group 4: Lithuania, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania.
Wales | Ireland | Northern Ireland will be up next with all three able to be drawn with each other
Wales have Republic of Ireland and Denmark
Group 1: Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia.
Group 2: Turkey, Sweden, Russia.
Group 3: Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria.
Group 4: Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Wales.
Means the Welsh end up with the Irish who stopped them from Qualifying who then got stopped from Qualifying for the World Cup themselves by Denmark!! So very interesting Group.
Russia were originally drawn with Ukraine yet the two aren't allowed to face each other
Time to see who'll be beating England!!