The draws for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of the Nations League, as well as the access and relegation play-offs for Leagues A to D, will take place next Friday, 22, in Nyon, Switzerland, announced UEFA, next. Thursday.
The draws start at 12 noon local time, 11 am in mainland Portugal.
The quarter finals of the League of Nations, a stage which will qualify the two best teams from each of the four groups of League A, will be held from 20 to 23 March 2025. On these dates the finals of Leagues B/C will be played and Series A/B.
The Nations League semi-finals will be played on June 4 and 5. The third and fourth place games and the final will be played on June 8.
The C/D Series matches will take place on March 26 and 31, 2026.
Portugal is the leader of group 1 of Serie A, with ten points. On Friday, a draw is enough to ensure qualification to the quarter-finals, and they could even do so in 1st place, in the penultimate round, based on the result of Scotland x Croatia.
How do the draws and play-offs work?
The draw will begin with the C/D league final. The two best 4th placed teams from the Serie C groups (pot 1) will be drawn for the draw, drawn with the two second placed teams from Serie D (pot 2). Both teams from League C play at home in the first game.
The following is the final of the series B and C. It involves the four 3rd place teams from Series B (pot 1), who cross with the four second place teams from Series C (pot 2). The four teams from League C play at home in the 2nd game.
Then there is the draw for the play-offs for Serie A and B, the same: the 3rd place teams from Serie A (pot 1) and the four teams in second place from Serie B (pot 2). League A teams play at home in the 2nd game.
As for the draw for the quarter-finals, the winners of the four groups of League A will face the second-placed teams of the four groups in League A. The draw is restricted, meaning that the winner of their group cannot face to be ranked 2nd in your group. Then, in the draw for the semi-finals, there are four markers, representing the four winners of the quarter-finals: the first marker to leave the first semi-final plays at home and the second to play the other semi-final. at home, The third person to leave the semi-final is the visitor from the first semi-final and the other visitor from the other semi-final.
What are the implications of the Nations League draws for teams’ chances of advancement?
Interview: The Future of the Nations League – An Insight with Dr. Sofia Almeida
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Dr. Almeida! We’re thrilled to have you here to discuss the upcoming draws for the Nations League and its significance. To kick things off, can you tell us more about what to expect from the draws happening this Friday in Nyon?
Dr. Sofia Almeida (SA): Thank you for having me! The draws this Friday are crucial as they will determine the matchups for the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals of the Nations League. Moreover, it affects both access and relegation play-offs for Leagues A to D. It’s an exciting time for football fans across Europe!
TNE: Absolutely! The excitement is palpable, especially with the draws set to begin at noon local time. How significant are these draws in shaping the tournament’s progression?
SA: The draws are pivotal. They set the stage for the knockout phase of the tournament. Teams that perform well in their leagues will either get the opportunity to continue competing for the title or face the risk of relegation. This adds an extra layer of tension and excitement, especially for fans who follow their teams closely.
TNE: Portugal currently leads Group 1 of Serie A. What does this mean for their chances in the quarter-finals?
SA: Being at the top of their group, Portugal is in a strong position. They just need a draw in their next match, and they could secure not only qualification to the quarter-finals but potentially finish first in their group. This could provide them a favorable matchup in the knockout stages, which is crucial for advancing further in the tournament.
TNE: It sounds like a thrilling scenario! Could you elaborate on the schedule of the upcoming matches? There are interesting dates coming up.
SA: Yes, the quarter-finals will take place from March 20 to 23, 2025, and during that same window, we’ll also see finals for Leagues B and C. The semi-finals are set for June 4 and 5, with the finals on June 8. For the C and D Series, matches will occur on March 26 and 31, 2026. This timeline ensures that there’s a continuous flow of competitive football for fans to enjoy.
TNE: With all this action on the horizon, what should fans understand about the importance of these matches, especially in the context of international football?
SA: The Nations League has elevated the profile of international fixtures. No longer are these matches mere friendlies; they have tangible consequences, influencing rankings, qualifications for tournaments, and team reputations. For teams like Portugal, performing well can solidify their status as a powerhouse in European football.
TNE: That’s a great perspective. How do you foresee the impact of the league on emerging teams?
SA: The Nations League offers emerging teams a platform to compete internationally, gain experience, and ultimately challenge stronger opponents. It fosters growth within these nations by providing a competitive environment and the chance to develop young talent. This can lead to an exciting reshaping of football hierarchies in the future.
TNE: Exciting times indeed! what’s your prediction for the upcoming quarter-finals? Any dark horses you think we should keep an eye on?
SA: While established teams like Portugal and France will be favorites, I think we should watch out for teams like Denmark and the Netherlands. Both have shown impressive form in recent competitions. It wouldn’t be shocking if one of them makes a deep run in the tournament.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Almeida, for your insights! We’ll be eagerly watching the draws this Friday and keeping an eye on who emerges victorious in this thrilling competition.
SA: It was my pleasure! Let the games begin!