The fourth edition of the Nations League begins for the national football team this evening (8.45 p.m./ZDF) with the match against Hungary. But how does the competition, which has been reformed again by UEFA, work?
The group stage:
Germany will play in League A of the best 16 teams in Group 3 in home and away matches against Hungary (7 September/19 November), the Netherlands (10 September/14 October) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (11 October/16 November).
Knockout phase
As group winners or runners-up, Germany will qualify for the quarter-finals at the end of March 2025. They would then play against another group winner or runners-up in a home and away match for a place in the final round at the beginning of June 2025. The Nations League winner will then be chosen in a mini-tournament format with semi-finals and a final. The final is scheduled for June 8.
Play-downs
As third in the group, Germany would still have to worry about remaining in the best league. In March 2025, there would be relegation matches against a group runner-up from the B league. The loser of the home and away matches would have to start in the lower league in the next edition in 2026.
descent
As fourth in the group, the current round of the Nations League would end for Germany in November. Relegation to the B League would be sealed. The DFB team would then start qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in March – and not in June or September 2025. The groups for this will be drawn this year.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240907-930-225673/1
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