2024-25 UEFA Nations League: Play-offs, Knockouts, and World Cup Qualifying Explained
The UEFA Nations League returns this week with its play-off and knockout stages, bringing exciting football action across Europe. After the group stage concluded in November, eight teams remain in the main draw, ready to compete for the tournament title while others battle for promotion and relegation.
Quarter-Final Draw: Who Plays Whom?
In League A, the top tier of the Nations League, the teams finishing first and second in each of the four groups have progressed to the quarterfinals. The eight teams were drawn against one another to play two-legged last-eight ties, with the teams listed first playing at home in the opening leg.
The quarter-final matchups are as follows:
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Netherlands vs Spain
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Croatia vs France
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Italy vs Germany
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Denmark vs Portugal
The first legs of these quarterfinals take place on 20 March, with the second legs scheduled for 23 March. The winners will advance to the semi-finals, which are single matches set for 4 and 5 June 2025.
Home Nations and Republic of Ireland Updates
Among the British and Irish teams:
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England and Northern Ireland secured promotion to higher leagues after winning their groups
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Wales also reached the top tier of the competition
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Scotland remains the only home nation still in the tournament
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The Republic of Ireland is participating in the play-offs
Promotion/Relegation Play-Offs
Running concurrently with the quarterfinals, the play-offs will determine which teams move up or down between the leagues:
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League A third-place teams play against League B second-place teams
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League B third-place teams face League C second-place teams
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The two best-performing bottom teams in League C play against League D runners-up
Specific play-off matches include:
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Georgia vs Armenia
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Slovenia vs Slovakia
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Iceland vs Kosovo
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Republic of Ireland vs Bulgaria
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Serbia vs Austria
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Scotland vs Greece
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Hungary vs Turkey
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Belgium vs Ukraine
World Cup Qualifying Implications
The Nations League has significant implications for World Cup qualifying:
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Four teams will qualify for a play-off to reach the World Cup via the Nations League
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These four teams are the best-ranked group winners who don’t finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group
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Teams in the top Nations League division are likely to qualify for the World Cup through European qualifying
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England and Wales are in strong positions to secure World Cup play-off spots through their Nations League performances
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The four Nations League play-off qualifiers will join 12 teams who finish second in their World Cup qualifying groups, competing for four spots in the 2026 World Cup
Key Dates to Remember
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Play-off and quarter-final first legs: 20 March 2025
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Second legs: 23 March 2025
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Semi-finals: 4 and 5 June 2025
The UEFA Nations League continues to provide a pathway for teams to compete at higher levels while offering additional opportunities for World Cup qualification. With exciting matchups and high stakes, football fans across Europe will be watching closely as these crucial fixtures unfold.
Stay tuned to Sportify777 for these matches updates!