How the Nations League Works: Format and Final Four

The Nations League is the competition for European national teams organized by UEFA . It replaces many friendlies and awards points that also count towards European Championship qualification.

The mechanism may seem complicated, but it's based on a simple idea: divide teams into groups of similar skill levels. Here's how it works.

The Four Leagues

The national teams are divided into four leagues : A , B , C and D. League A contains the strongest teams, while League D contains the lowest-ranked teams.

At the end of each edition, promotions and relegations are planned : those who disappoint go down a league, those who excel go up.

Group stages and quarter-finals

In League A, teams are divided into four groups . The top two teams in each group advance to the quarter-finals.

The quarterfinals and semi-finals are played over two legs ; the bottom-placed team in each group is relegated to League B. The winners of the quarterfinals advance to the final stage.

The final four in June

The top four teams face off in the Final Four , scheduled for June in a host country. The semifinals and final are played as one-off matches.

The winner is crowned Nations League champion . The tournament also counts towards the UEFA rankings and can open doors in qualifying.

FAQ

Who participates in the Nations League?

The European national teams affiliated with UEFA , divided into four leagues.

How do you get to the final four?

By winning the quarter-finals , which are played over two legs.

When is the Final Four played?

In June , in a host country chosen by UEFA.