UEFA Nations League: Qualification and Relegation Scenarios for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

The final round of the UEFA Nations League group stage matters for more than friendly matches: it determines the quarter-finalists, promotion and relegation outcomes, as well as rankings for the draw and qualification routes to major tournaments. The top two teams in each League A group advance to the quarter-finals, while each group winner in Leagues B to D earns direct promotion, and the bottom-placed teams in groups in the top three leagues are relegated directly.

Two-legged promotion and relegation play-offs are also held: between the third-placed team in League A and the runner-up in League B, and between the third-placed team in League B and the runner-up in League C. The overall Nations League rankings also affect the pots for the European Championship qualifying draw and may give the highest-ranked group winners who do not qualify through the usual qualifying process an additional chance through the play-offs.

England are second in their League A group with nine points, behind leaders Spain on 12 points and three points ahead of Croatia, with the Czech Republic on no points. The report says Thomas Tuchel's team have practically secured a quarter-final place, while the focus is on whether they can overtake Spain to claim top spot in the group. England host Croatia and then travel to Spain.

Wales are third in their League A group, behind Portugal and Denmark and ahead of Norway. They need results that help them avoid the relegation play-off or direct relegation, or allow them to compete for one of the top two places. They travel to Norway and then host Portugal.

Scotland are third in League B, behind Switzerland and Slovenia, with North Macedonia bottom of the group. Improving their position would give them a chance to compete for promotion through the play-offs or earn direct promotion, while remaining third would lead to a relegation play-off against a League C team. They host North Macedonia and then travel to Switzerland.

Northern Ireland lead their League B group ahead of Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia, and can secure direct promotion to League A if they maintain top spot in their next two matches. They host Ukraine and then travel to Hungary. The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, are third on five points behind Austria and Kosovo, and need strong results to move into the top two; otherwise, they may face a play-off to avoid relegation. They travel to Austria and then host Kosovo.