UEFA Nations League

European association football tournament for men's national teams

For the women's competition, see UEFA Women's Nations League.

Football tournament

UEFA Nations League

Organising body| UEFA
Founded| 2018; 7 years ago (2018)
Region| Europe
Number of teams| 55
Current champions|  Portugal (2nd title)
Most successful team(s)|  Portugal (2 titles)
Website| uefa.com/nationsleague
2026–27 UEFA Nations League

The UEFA Nations League is an international European football competition played by the senior men's national teams of the member associations of UEFA, the sport's European governing body.[1] The competition was devised to minimise friendlies and give nations competitive encounters with equally ranked teams. Teams from all the European associations compete in a league structure featuring promotion and relegation.[2]

The first tournament was in September 2018, with the four group winners from League A qualifying for the first finals, played in Portugal in June 2019. The host team, Portugal defeated the Netherlands in the final to become the inaugural competition winners. In 2021 France won the trophy by beating Spain in the host country, and Italy achieved 3rd place by beating Belgium. In the 2023 tournament, Spain won by beating Croatia on penalties. The current champions are Portugal, who defeated holders Spain in the 2025 final to secure their second title.

## Adoption

[edit]

Since 1999, various UEFA bodies had discussed national associations' needs for more competitive fixtures, including more attractive international friendlies, more competitive matches and increased revenue.[3] In 2001, UEFA proposed three potential formats for a new national team competition, with a first edition tentatively planned for 2004–2007.[4] However, this ultimately did not come to fruition.

In October 2013, Norwegian Football Association president Yngve Hallén confirmed that talks had been held to create a third full national-team international tournament for UEFA members[5] in addition to the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.

The concept of the UEFA Nations League would see all of UEFA's member associations' national teams divided into a series of groups based upon a ranking formulated using their recent results, where they would be promoted and relegated to other groups according to their results within the group.[6] The proposed tournament would take place on dates on the FIFA International Match Calendar that were previously allocated for international friendlies and would not affect the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship.[7]

In March 2014, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino stated that one of the benefits of the proposal would be to help "less glamorous" national associations arrange games.[7]

The Royal Belgian Football Association's general secretary, Steven Martens, said that lower-ranked nations would still benefit financially from the competition, as the television contract with UEFA would be centralised.[8] The UEFA Nations League was unanimously adopted by the 54 UEFA member associations at the XXXVIII Ordinary UEFA Congress in Astana on 27 March 2014.[1]

## Format

[edit]

### Original format

[edit]

The 55 UEFA national teams were divided into four leagues:[1][9][10][11][12] 12 teams in League A; 12 teams in League B; 15 teams in League C; and 16 teams in League D.[13] In each league, four groups were formed (with three or four teams) and teams played each other both home and away.

### Adjustment starting from 2020–21

[edit]

After the completion of the first season, UEFA decided to adjust the format of the Nations League starting from the 2020–21 season. The new league structure comprised 16 teams in Leagues A, B, and C and seven teams in League D.[14]

The transition to the new format occurred by making various one-time changes after the 2018–19 season, namely the suspension of relegations in both League A and League B, the promotion of the two best teams per group in both League C and League D (instead of only one team per group), and the promotion of the best third-placed team from League D.

This change to the format followed a collective consultation process, whereby all UEFA national associations reiterated their intent to further reduce the number of friendly matches. The number of competitive matches was increased from 142 to 168, thus increasing the commercial value and viewer appeal of the competition. Almost all teams in the same group played their last match simultaneously with the aim of promoting fairness.[15] More matches were played within Leagues A and B, with the two leagues now incorporating competition between the 32 highest-ranked UEFA national associations, instead of the previous system where Leagues A and B together only incorporated 24 of the highest-ranked UEFA national associations.

### Finals, promotion, and relegation

[edit]

Pre-show at the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals in Milan, Italy with France playing against Spain

In the top league, League A, the winners of the four groups go on to play in the Nations League Finals, with two semi-finals, a third and fourth-place decider, and a final to decide which team becomes the UEFA Nations League champion. Beginning in 2024–25, the group winners and runners-up of League A advance to a new two-legged home-and-away quarter-final round. In each tie, group winners will face a runner-up from a different group, with the group winner hosting the second leg. The four quarter-final winners advance to the Nations League Finals using the same rules above.[16][17][18][19]

Teams can also be promoted and relegated to a higher or lower league.[20][21] Starting in 2020–21, each group winner in Leagues B, C, and D is automatically promoted to the next higher league while the last-placed team in each group in Leagues A and B is automatically relegated to the next lower league for the next tournament. From 2020–21 to 2022–23, the League C teams to be relegated were determined by play-outs among fourth-placed teams, the specific ties being based on the teams' Nations League overall ranking. The teams that won on aggregate over two legs remained in League C while the losing teams were relegated to League D.[22]

Starting in 2024–25, the two worst-ranked League C teams will automatically be relegated. Furthermore, promotion/relegation play-offs were introduced, with the third-placed teams of League A facing the runners-up of League B, the third-placed teams of League B facing the runners-up of League C, and the two best-ranked fourth-placed teams of League C facing the runners-up of League D, with the winners going to the higher league and the losers entering the lower league.[16][17][18][19] In all cases, the higher-ranked team hosts the second leg. If the aggregate score is level, extra time will be played without the away goals rule enforced, and if it is still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winner, as per guidelines by the UEFA Executive Committee on 16 December 2021.[22]

### UEFA European Championship link

[edit]

Main article: UEFA European Championship qualifying

The UEFA Nations League is linked with the UEFA European Championship qualifying, providing teams another chance to qualify for the UEFA European Championship.

There were play-offs for each of Leagues A, B, C, and D in October and November 2020. Each group winner earned a spot in the semi-finals. If the group winner was already one of the 20 qualified teams, rankings were used to give the play-off spot to another team of that league. If fewer than four teams in the entire league remained unqualified, play-off spots for that league were given to teams of the next lower league. This determined the four remaining qualifying spots for the European Championship (out of 24 total).[11][12][23] However, starting with UEFA Euro 2024 onward,[24] the now-downsized League D will no longer be given its own path. Instead, if any of Leagues A, B, or C have fewer than four teams that did not qualify directly for Euro 2024, the best-ranked group winner of League D will advance to the play-offs (unless that team already qualified for the final tournament). The remaining spots will be allocated based on the Nations League overall ranking, however, group winners from Leagues B and C cannot face teams from a higher league. Therefore, additional teams from League D can only advance to the play-offs if enough teams from League C qualify directly.[25]

### FIFA World Cup link

[edit]

Main article: FIFA World Cup qualification § Europe

The Nations League was linked with European qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, although to a lesser degree than the UEFA European Championship qualifying play-offs. The first round of the 2022 World Cup qualification consisted of ten groups, with each group winner directly qualified for the World Cup. Then, the second round (which followed a playoff format) was contested by the ten group runners-up, plus the best two Nations League group winners (based on the Nations League overall ranking) that finished outside the top two of their qualifying group. The playoffs were split into three playoff paths, played in two semi-finals (hosted by the seeded teams) and the final (with the home teams to be drawn), from which an additional three teams also qualified.[26]

For 2026, it will be again partially linked with European qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The first round of the 2026 World Cup qualification consisted of twelve groups, with each group winner qualified directly for the World Cup. Then, in the second round, the twelve qualifying group runners-up and the four best-ranked Nations League group winners who are not qualifying group winners or runners-up will be drawn into four play-off paths of single-leg semi-finals and single-leg finals to determine the last four UEFA teams to qualify for the World Cup.[27]

In an interview with the Polish website meczyki.pl, UEFA vice-president Zbigniew Boniek said that all 10 teams from CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, would join the UEFA Nations League from the 2024–25 edition of the competition.[28] The plans, which would have acted as a response to FIFA's biennial World Cup plans, were intended as part of enhanced cooperation between the two organisations following the signing of a memorandum of understanding and the opening of a joint office in London.[29] However, such an expansion was made unlikely after CONMEBOL submitted a request to FIFA to maintain the round-robin qualification format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[30] On 25 January 2023, the UEFA Executive Committee confirmed the format for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League, with no South American teams to be added.[16]

## Trophy

[edit]

The UEFA Nations League trophy was unveiled during the phase draw in Lausanne, Switzerland. The trophy represents all 55 UEFA National associations and is made of sterling silver. The trophy weighs 7.5 kg and is 71 cm tall.[31]

## Anthem

[edit]

The official anthem of the UEFA Nations League was recorded with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, singing in Latin. It is a mix of classical and electronic music, and is played when the players are entering the field of play, in television sequences and for ceremonial purposes. The composers are Giorgio Tuinfort and Franck van der Heijden.[31][32]

## Seasons

[edit]

Each season of the UEFA Nations League is played in a typical UEFA competition season format: the league phase (or "group stage") in the first half of the season from September to November, and the knockout phase in the second half of the season in March (League A quarter-finals and promotion/relegation play-offs), and June (semifinals and finals of League A) respectively, meaning a UEFA Nations League champion is crowned every two years. An exception was made in the 2022–23 season when the league phase was played in June and September 2022, due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup played in Qatar at the end of the year.[11][12][23]

## Finals

[edit]

Keys

* aet: result after extra time
* p: match won after penalty shoot-out

Season  | Finals host  | Final  | Third place play-off

|
|
|

Winners  | Score  | Runners-up  | Third  | Score  | Fourth
2018–19
Finals |  Portugal |
Portugal | 1–0 |
Netherlands |
England | 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(6–5 p) |
Switzerland
2020–21
Finals |  Italy |
France | 2–1 |
Spain |
Italy | 2–1 |
Belgium
2022–23
Finals |  Netherlands |
Spain | 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p) |
Croatia |
Italy | 3–2 |
Netherlands
2024–25
Finals |  Germany |
Portugal | 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 p) |
Spain |
France | 2–0 |
Germany
2026–27
Finals |  TBD  | TBD | TBD

## Teams reaching the top four

[edit]

Keys

* * denotes host of final tournament

Team  | Winners  | Runners-up  | Third place  | Fourth place  | Total

|
|
|
|
|

Portugal | 2 (2019*, 2025)  |  |  |  | 2
Spain | 1 (2023)  | 2 (2021, 2025)  |  |  | 3
France | 1 (2021)  |  | 1 (2025)  |  | 2
Netherlands |  | 1 (2019)  |  | 1 (2023*)  | 2
Croatia |  | 1 (2023)  |  |  | 1
Italy |  |  | 2 (2021*, 2023)  |  | 2
England |  |  | 1 (2019)  |  | 1
Switzerland |  |  |  | 1 (2019)  | 1
Belgium |  |  |  | 1 (2021)  | 1
Germany |  |  |  | 1 (2025*)  | 1

## Records and statistics

[edit]

### Top Goalscorers All-Time

[edit]

Rank  | Player  | Goals  | Tournaments

|
|
|

1  |  Erling Haaland | 19  | 3 (2021, 2023, 2025)
2  |  Cristiano Ronaldo | 15  | 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
Aleksandar Mitrović | 15  | 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
4  |  Romelu Lukaku | 10  | 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
Vedat Muriqi | 10  | 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
Viktor Gyökeres | 10  | 2 (2023, 2025)
7  |  Edin Džeko | 9  | 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
Christian Eriksen | 9  | 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
Danel Sinani | 9  | 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
Kylian Mbappé | 9  | 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)

### Top Goalscorers by Tournament

[edit]

Season  | League A  | League B  | League C  | League D

|
|
|
|

Player  | Goals  | Player  | Goals  | Player  | Goals  | Player  | Goals
2018–19 |  Haris Seferovic | 5 |  Edin Džeko
Patrik Schick | 3 |  Aleksandar Mitrović | 6 |  Yura Movsisyan
Stanislaw Drahun | 5
2020–21 |  Romelu Lukaku
Ferran Torres | 6 |  Erling Haaland | 6 |  Sokol Cikalleshi
Rauno Sappinen
Stevan Jovetić
Haris Vučkić | 4 |  Klæmint Olsen | 4
2022–23 |  Michy Batshuayi
Luka Modrić
Steven Bergwijn
Memphis Depay | 3 |  Erling Haaland
Aleksandar Mitrović | 6 |  Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Vedat Muriqi | 5 |  Vladislavs Gutkovskis | 5
2024–25 |  Cristiano Ronaldo | 8  |  Erling Haaland | 7 |  Viktor Gyökeres | 9 |  Liam Walker
Nicola Nanni | 2

### Comprehensive team results by tournament

[edit]

* 1 – Champions
* 2 – Runners-up
* 3 – Third place
* 4 – Fourth place
* 5–8 – Quarter-finals (from 2024 to 2025, ranked based on final overall ranking)
* – Promoted
* – No movement
* – Relegated
* * – Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs
* † – Promoted after format change
* † – Avoided relegation after format change
* Q – Qualified for upcoming UEFA Nations League Finals
* P/R – Qualified for upcoming promotion/relegation play-offs
* – Host country of UEFA Nations League Finals

National team  | Seasons in league  | Season

|
|

2018–19 | 2020–21 | 2022–23 | 2024–25 | 2026–27
A  | B  | C  | D  | Lg | Rk | M | Lg | Rk | M | Lg | Rk | M | Lg | Rk | M | Lg | Rk | M
Albania | — | 2 | 3 | —  | C | 34 |  | C | 35 |  | B | 27 |  | B | 29 |  | C |  |
Andorra | — | — | — | 5  | D | 53 |  | D | 55 |  | D | 53 |  | D | 54 |  | D |  |
Armenia | — | 1 | 3 | 1  | D | 45 | †  | C | 36 |  | B | 31 |  | C | 40 | *  | C |  |
Austria | 1 | 4 | — | —  | B | 18 |  | B | 18 |  | A | 13 |  | B | 22 | *  | B |  |
Azerbaijan | — | — | 3 | 2  | D | 46 | †  | C | 43 |  | C | 38 |  | C | 47 |  | D |  |
Belarus | — | — | 4 | 1  | D | 43 |  | C | 38 |  | C | 46 |  | C | 41 |  | C |  |
Belgium | 5 | — | — | —  | A | 5 |  | A | 4 |  | A | 7 |  | A | 12 | *  | A |  |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2 | 3 | — | —  | B | 13 |  | A | 15 |  | B | 18 |  | A | 16 |  | B |  |
Bulgaria | — | 1 | 4 | —  | C | 29 | †  | B | 31 |  | C | 40 |  | C | 39 | *  | C |  |
Croatia | 5 | — | — | —  | A | 9 | †  | A | 12 |  | A | 2 |  | A | 8 |  | A |  |
Cyprus | — | — | 5 | —  | C | 36 | †  | C | 46 | *  | C | 45 |  | C | 43 |  | C |  |
Czech Republic | 2 | 3 | — | —  | B | 20 |  | B | 19 |  | A | 14 |  | B | 20 |  | A |  |
Denmark | 4 | 1 | — | —  | B | 15 |  | A | 7 |  | A | 5 |  | A | 7 |  | A |  |
England | 4 | 1 | — | —  | A | 3 |  | A | 9 |  | A | 15 |  | B | 17 |  | A |  |
Estonia | — | — | 4 | 1  | C | 37 | †  | C | 47 | *  | D | 49 |  | C | 44 |  | C |  |
Faroe Islands | — | — | 3 | 2  | D | 50 |  | D | 50 |  | C | 41 |  | C | 42 |  | C |  |
Finland | — | 3 | 2 | —  | C | 28 |  | B | 21 |  | B | 21 |  | B | 32 |  | C |  |
France | 5 | — | — | —  | A | 6 |  | A | 1 |  | A | 12 |  | A | 3 |  | A |  |
Georgia | — | 2 | 2 | 1  | D | 40 |  | C | 42 |  | C | 33 |  | B | 26 | *  | B |  |
Germany | 5 | — | — | —  | A | 11 | †  | A | 8 |  | A | 10 |  | A | 4 |  | A |  |
Gibraltar | — | — | 1 | 3  | D | 49 |  | D | 49 |  | C | 48 | *  | D | 52 | P/R  |  |  |
Greece | 1 | 1 | 3 | —  | C | 33 |  | C | 37 |  | C | 34 |  | B | 21 | *  | A |  |
Hungary | 2 | 2 | 1 | —  | C | 31 | †  | B | 20 |  | A | 8 |  | A | 11 | *  | B |  |
Iceland | 2 | 2 | 1 | —  | A | 12 | †  | A | 16 |  | B | 23 |  | B | 27 | *  | C |  |
Israel | 1 | 3 | 1 | —  | C | 30 | †  | B | 25 |  | B | 17 |  | A | 14 |  | B |  |
Italy | 5 | — | — | —  | A | 8 |  | A | 3 |  | A | 3 |  | A | 5 |  | A |  |
Kazakhstan | — | 1 | 3 | 1  | D | 47 | †  | C | 45 | *  | C | 36 |  | B | 31 |  | C |  |
Kosovo | — | 1 | 3 | 1  | D | 42 |  | C | 44 |  | C | 39 |  | C | 38 | *  | B |  |
Latvia | — | — | 1 | 3  | D | 51 |  | D | 53 |  | D | 50 |  | C | 45 | P/R  |  |  |
Liechtenstein | — | — | — | 5  | D | 52 |  | D | 51 |  | D | 55 |  | D | 53 |  | D |  |
Lithuania | — | — | 4 | 1  | C | 39 | †  | C | 41 |  | C | 47 | *  | C | 48 |  | D |  |
Luxembourg | — | — | 3 | 1  | D | 44 | †  | C | 39 |  | C | 37 |  | C | 46 | P/R  |  |  |
Malta | — | — | — | 4  | D | 54 |  | D | 52 |  | D | 52 |  | D | 51 | P/R  |  |  |
Moldova | — | — | 2 | 3  | D | 48 | †  | C | 48 | *  | D | 51 |  | D | 49 |  | C |  |
Montenegro | — | 2 | 3 | —  | C | 35 |  | C | 34 |  | B | 28 |  | B | 30 |  | C |  |
Netherlands | 5 | — | — | —  | A | 2 |  | A | 6 |  | A | 4 |  | A | 6 |  | A |  |
North Macedonia | — | 1 | 3 | 1  | D | 41 |  | C | 40 |  | C | 42 |  | C | 35 |  | B |  |
Northern Ireland | — | 3 | 2 | —  | B | 24 | †  | B | 32 |  | C | 44 |  | C | 36 |  | B |  |
Norway | 1 | 3 | 1 | —  | C | 26 |  | B | 22 |  | B | 24 |  | B | 18 |  | A |  |
Poland | 4 | 1 | — | —  | A | 10 | †  | A | 10 |  | A | 11 |  | A | 13 |  | B |  |
Portugal | 5 | — | — | —  | A | 1 |  | A | 5 |  | A | 6 |  | A | 1 |  | A |  |
Republic of Ireland | — | 5 | — | —  | B | 23 | †  | B | 28 |  | B | 26 |  | B | 28 | *  | B |  |
Romania | — | 3 | 2 | —  | C | 32 | †  | B | 26 |  | B | 29 |  | C | 33 |  | B |  |
Russia | — | 2[a] | — | —  | B | 17 |  | B | 24 |  | B |  | Suspended |  |  |
San Marino | — | — | 1 | 4  | D | 55 |  | D | 54 |  | D | 54 |  | D | 50 |  | C |  |
Scotland | 1 | 3 | 1 | —  | C | 25 |  | B | 23 |  | B | 20 |  | A | 9 | *  | B |  |
Serbia | 2 | 2 | 1 | —  | C | 27 |  | B | 27 |  | B | 19 |  | A | 10 | *  | A |  |
Slovakia | — | 2 | 3 | —  | B | 21 | †  | B | 30 |  | C | 43 |  | C | 37 | *  | C |  |
Slovenia | — | 3 | 2 | —  | C | 38 | †  | C | 33 |  | B | 25 |  | B | 25 | *  | B |  |
Spain | 5 | — | — | —  | A | 7 |  | A | 2 |  | A | 1 |  | A | 2 |  | A |  |
Sweden | 1 | 3 | 1 | —  | B | 16 |  | A | 14 |  | B | 30 |  | C | 34 |  | B |  |
Switzerland | 4 | 1 | — | —  | A | 4 |  | A | 11 |  | A | 9 |  | A | 15 |  | B |  |
Turkey | 1 | 3 | 1 | —  | B | 22 | †  | B | 29 |  | C | 35 |  | B | 23 | *  | A |  |
Ukraine | 1 | 4 | — | —  | B | 14 |  | A | 13 |  | B | 22 |  | B | 24 | *  | B |  |
Wales | 2 | 3 | — | —  | B | 19 |  | B | 17 |  | A | 16 |  | B | 19 |  | A |  |

### Players

[edit]

#### Appearances

[edit]

Youngest player to appear
16 years, 301 days, Patrik Kristal ( Estonia, vs  Sweden, 8 September 2024, 2024–25 group stage)[34]

Youngest player to appear, knockout stage
17 years, 62 days, Gavi ( Spain, vs  Italy, 6 October 2021, 2020–21 semi-finals)[34]

Youngest player to appear in a final
17 years, 66 days, Gavi ( Spain, vs  France, 10 October 2021, 2021 final)[34]

Oldest player to appear
43 years, 14 days, Lee Casciaro ( Gibraltar, vs  Liechtenstein, 13 October 2024, 2024–25 group stage)[35]

Oldest player to appear, knockout stage
40 years, 123 days, Cristiano Ronaldo ( Portugal, vs  Spain, 8 June 2025, 2025 final)[35]

#### Goalscoring

[edit]

Youngest goalscorer
17 years, 124 days, Konstantinos Karetsas ( Greece, vs  Scotland, 23 March 2025, 2024–25 promotion/relegation play-offs)[36]

Youngest goalscorer, group stage
17 years, 304 days, Gavi ( Spain, vs  Czech Republic, 5 June 2024, 2022–23 group stage)[36]

Youngest goalscorer, knockout stage
17 years, 253 days, Lamine Yamal ( Spain, vs  Netherlands, 23 March 2025, 2024–25 quarter-finals)[36]

Youngest goalscorer in a final
22 years, 192 days, Gonçalo Guedes ( Portugal, vs  Netherlands, 9 June 2019, 2019 final)[36]

Oldest goalscorer
40 years, 123 days, Cristiano Ronaldo ( Portugal, vs  Spain, 8 June 2025, 2025 final)[37]

Oldest goalscorer, group stage
39 years, 246 days, Roy Chipolina ( Gibraltar, vs  Bulgaria, 9 September 2022, 2022–23 group stage)[37]

#### Winners

[edit]

Youngest unused substitute to win the UEFA Nations League
18 years, 34 days, Rodrigo Mora,  Portugal, 2024–25[b][39]

Youngest player to win the UEFA Nations League
18 years, 317 days, Gavi,  Spain, 2022–23[40]

Oldest player to win the UEFA Nations League
40 years, 123 days, Cristiano Ronaldo,  Portugal, 2024–25[39]

Won the competition without having been capped for his country
Rodrigo Mora,  Portugal, 2024–2025[39]

## Reactions

[edit]

### Support

[edit]

UEFA devised the tournament as a means to eliminate international friendlies – an aim that has been shared by many football clubs and supporters, with the regular football season being interrupted with non-competitive international matches as part of the FIFA International Match Calendar.[41][42][43] Furthermore, it gives many countries who have not qualified for a major tournament a fighting chance.[44][45]

In February 2012, it was agreed between UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) that the international friendly schedule would be reduced from 12 to 9 matches a year with the August round of international friendlies in the UEFA confederation abolished from 2015.[46] The aspiration to eliminate friendlies in favour of a more competitive tournament has been both welcomed and criticised by many football commentators.[47][48][49]

> Supporters more than most realise that most friendlies fail to deliver competitive and meaningful football. Now they will have the opportunity to see their teams play in more competitive matches, take part in a new competition and get a second chance to qualify for the major tournaments. There will certainly be fewer friendly internationals and undoubtedly fewer meaningless friendlies. However, there will still be space in the calendar for friendly internationals – particularly warm-up matches for final tournaments. UEFA is also keen that European teams will still have the chance to play opponents from other confederations.

— UEFA.[50]

### Criticism

[edit]

The format has been criticised for allowing weaker teams to qualify through the Nations League to compete in the European Championship finals, instead of qualifying through the standard qualification process.[51] However, once the tournament began in 2018, it got applause for "very high-level matches" and impressive turnouts in the initial round of fixtures.[52][53][54][45]

Criticism of the Nations League resurfaced in 2022 when major footballers like Kevin de Bruyne and Virgil van Dijk condemned the Nations League as "unimportant" and only existing to glorify some friendlies as well as questioning the calendar due to possibility of injuries.[55] Their stance is also shared by Jürgen Klopp, who called it "ridiculous".[56] Croatia international Luka Modrić sparked even wider debate by criticising UEFA for making players play Nations League games so soon after the end of the season.[57]

## Influence

[edit]

Shortly after the foundation of the UEFA Nations League, CONCACAF, inspired by its success, announced that a similar competition format, the CONCACAF Nations League, would be established.[58] The first edition was played in 2018. Also inspired by the recent success of the Nations League, the AFC had begun to formalise a similar competition, planned to begin in 2021 before being stalled due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.[59][60]

## Awards

[edit]

Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament awards are presented for players' performances in the UEFA Nations League Finals.

Year  | Best Player  | Best Goal  | Highest goalscorer  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2019  |  Bernardo Silva |  Cristiano Ronaldo |  Aleksandar Mitrović | [61][62]
2021  |  Sergio Busquets |  Karim Benzema |  Romelu Lukaku
Erling Haaland
Ferran Torres | [63][64][65]
2023  |  Rodri |  Bruno Petković |  Erling Haaland
Aleksandar Mitrović | [66][64]
2025  |  Nuno Mendes |  Rayan Cherki |  Viktor Gyökeres | [67][68]

## See also

[edit]

Portals:

* Europe
* Association football

* CONCACAF Nations League
* UEFA Women's Nations League

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Russia were included in the 2022–23 League B draw but on 2 May 2022, prior to any matches being played, UEFA announced that they were suspended and automatically relegated to League C due to their country's invasion of Ukraine,[33] and therefore they did not participate in League B matches that season.
2. ^ Mora was in the squad for the Finals[38] but did not play

## References

[edit]

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2. ^ "2024/25 UEFA Nations League: All you need to know". UEFA. 7 June 2025.
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4. ^ "UEFA proposes new national team competition". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. October 2001. Archived from the original on 8 November 2001. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
5. ^ Hojem Kvam, Lars (9 October 2013). "Hva om Ronaldo, Özil, Balotelli og Pique møtes til ligaspill – med sine landslag?". dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
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12. ^ a b c "UEFA Nations League format and schedule confirmed". UEFA.com. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
13. ^ "Uefa unveils format for new Nations League to start in September 2018 | Uefa | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
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18. ^ a b "Nations League set to expand with new knockout round from 2024/25 | UEFA Nations League". UEFA.com. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
19. ^ a b "New formats for UEFA men's national team competitions | European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
20. ^ "Regulations of the UEFA Nations League 2018/19" (PDF). UEFA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
21. ^ "Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2018–20" (PDF). UEFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
22. ^ a b "UEFA Executive Committee approves a new Football Sustainability Strategy 2030". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 16 December 2021.
23. ^ a b "UEFA Nations League and European Qualifiers competition format, 2018–2020" (PDF). UEFA.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
24. ^ "Euro 2024: All you need to know". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 1 May 2022. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
25. ^ "Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship, 2022–24". Union of European Football Associations. 10 May 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
26. ^ "UEFA Executive Committee agenda for Nyon meeting". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 27 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
27. ^ "Lisbon to host UEFA Women's Champions League final in 2025". UEFA. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
28. ^ Włodarczyk, Tomasz. "Rewolucja w Lidze Narodów! Czeka nas mini-mundial. Polska może zagrać z Brazylią! [NASZ NEWS]". Meczyki.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
29. ^ "UEFA and CONMEBOL renew and extend Memorandum of Understanding". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
30. ^ "Países sudamericanos pedirán a la FIFA mantener el formato de las Eliminatorias" [South American countries will ask FIFA to maintain the format of the Qualifiers] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
31. ^ a b "UEFA Nations League trophy and music revealed". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
32. ^ "What are the lyrics to the UEFA Nations League Anthem?". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
33. ^ "UEFA decisions for upcoming competitions relating to the ongoing suspension of Russian national teams and clubs". UEFA. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
34. ^ a b c "Youngest Nations League players: Patrik Kristal, Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Jadon Sancho". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
35. ^ a b "Oldest Nations League players: Lee Casciaro, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Pepe". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
36. ^ a b c d "Youngest Nations League scorers: Konstantinos Karetsas, Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Ansu Fati". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
37. ^ a b "Oldest Nations League scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Chipolina, Luka Modrić, Edin Džeko". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
38. ^ "Convocatória para Liga das Nações divulgada" (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
39. ^ a b c "Portugal-Spain | UEFA Nations League 2025 Final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
40. ^ Pettit, Mark (18 June 2023). "Spain win Nations League: Croatia edged out on penalties". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
41. ^ Smith, Giles (2 March 2001). "Put an end to these meaningless friendlies". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
42. ^ Lawton, James (20 February 2018). "Friendlies do not have to be as meaningless as this". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
43. ^ "Do friendly matches really matter?". BBC Sport. 2 March 2006. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
44. ^ Blenkinsop, Philip (20 November 2018). "Nations League more successful than imagined: UEFA head". Reuters. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
45. ^ a b Homewood, Brian (21 November 2018). "Ingenious format and even games equals Nations League success". Reuters. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
46. ^ "Clubs and Uefa agree to reduce international matches". BBC Sport. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
47. ^ Liew, Jonathan (13 October 2017). "Abstract and absurd, Uefa's Nations League is anything but the Ctrl-Alt-Delete the international game needs". The Independent. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
48. ^ Ames, Nick (23 January 2018). "What is the Uefa Nations League – and will it be successful?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
49. ^ "Jurgen Klopp calls Uefa Nations League 'most senseless competition in world'". The National. Agence France-Presse. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
50. ^ "UEFA Nations League: all you need to know". UEFA. 20 August 2018. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
51. ^ Dunbar, Graham (24 March 2017). "As World Cup hope fades, Europeans turn to Nations League". USA Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
52. ^ "UEFA Nations League: Tournament draws praise for 'very high-level matches', impressive turnouts in initial round of fixtures". Firstpost.com. 10 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
53. ^ Kidd, Robert (11 September 2018). "How The Nations League Is Giving European Soccer's Underdogs A Rare Chance". Forbes. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
54. ^ Price, Steve (13 November 2018). "Why UEFA Nations League Is A Big Chance For Smaller Nations To Reach Euro 2020". Forbes. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
55. ^ Miller, Nick (10 June 2022). "De Bruyne and Van Dijk are right - Nations League in June is 'unimportant' and 'strange'". The Athletic. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
56. ^ Markham, Carl (13 May 2022). "Jurgen Klopp renews criticism of 'ridiculous' Uefa Nations League". The Independent. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
57. ^ Parvizi, Kevin (15 June 2022). "Luka Modric calls out UEFA's cruelty during Nations League". The Real Champs. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
58. ^ Bailey, Ryan (1 June 2021). "Everything you need to know about the CONCACAF Nations League Finals". Charlotte Football Club. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
59. ^ "AFC mull plans to have Nations League-like tournament". thestar.com.my. 13 September 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021.
60. ^ Lowe, Martin (23 March 2021). "OPINION: Is it time Asia introduced a Nations League?". The Asian Game. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
61. ^ "Bernardo Silva and Frenkie de Jong win Nations League awards". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
62. ^ "Goal of the Tournament: clean sweep for Ronaldo". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
63. ^ "Sergio Busquets, MVP of the Nations League". FCBarcelona.com. FC Barcelona. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
64. ^ a b "Goal of the Tournament". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
65. ^ "UEFA Nations League Scoring Stats, 2020-21 Season". ESPN. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
66. ^ "Man City: Rodri named Nations League player of the tournament". BBC Sport. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
67. ^ "Nuno Mendes named 2025 UEFA Nations League Player of the Finals". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
68. ^ "Goal of the Tournament". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to UEFA Nations League.

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