{"id":2182207,"date":"2026-10-06T11:01:49","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T08:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2182207"},"modified":"2026-10-06T11:01:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T08:01:49","slug":"nations-league-2026-27-how-does-promotion-relegation-knockouts-and-euro-2028-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2182207","title":{"rendered":"Nations League 2026-27: How does promotion, relegation, knockouts and Euro 2028 work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/2864\/live\/7a894370-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ssrcss-2fe4mx-ArticleWrapper e1nh2i2l0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div data-block=\"headline\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<header data-testid=\"headline\">\n<h1 id=\"main-heading\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-8zqj65-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">How promotion, relegation and knockouts work in Nations League<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-144mbbe-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/2864\/live\/7a894370-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/2864\/live\/7a894370-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2864\/live\/7a894370-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/2864\/live\/7a894370-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/2864\/live\/7a894370-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/2864\/live\/7a894370-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">England are closing in on reaching the knockout rounds of the 2026-27 Uefa Nations League<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"single-byline\" class=\"ssrcss-sevsa1-ContributorContainer ee66fvo3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dt4z-ContributorInfo ee66fvo0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">By<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-nsjd43-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Jonty Colman<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dqo7s5-ContributorDetails ee66fvo2\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1m5444d-Text ee66fvo4\">BBC Sport journalist<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"metadata\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"metadata\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-10-06T11:01:49.601Z\">8 hours ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b>England will close in on qualification for the 2026-27 Nations League quarter-finals if they beat Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday night.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Thomas Tuchel&#8217;s side sit second after three matches in Group A3, with a win all but confirming their place in next March&#8217;s quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Tuesday night will mark the final fixtures of the fourth round of group stage matches. The final two full rounds will be played in November&#8217;s international break.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The eight teams to finish in the top two of the four League A groups will play in the knockout rounds that start in March 2027.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Teams finishing at the top of groups in leagues B and C will earn promotion for the next Nations League cycle, while teams that finish second in a League B or League C group will face a third-place team from the league above them in a promotion\/relegation play-off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The losers of the relegation play-offs, as well as the bottom-placed finishers from groups in League A and League B will be relegated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As the Nations League format is changing for the next cycle, taking place across 2028 and 2029, all League D teams are guaranteed promotion to League C.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Additionally, no teams from League C will be relegated at the end of this cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The new format will consist of three larger leagues, meaning there will not be a League D in the next campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"uploaderEmbed\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-krxbkn-Content e1hic64o1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-gcpv13-MessageWrapper ef7gnrf3\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-9c7t1e-Title ef7gnrf2\">Get in touch<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-jqctwy-TextMessageContainer ef7gnrf0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Send us your questions<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-degjd4-CallToActionWrapper e1hic64o3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1cfn5j5-NoJSWrapper e1hic64o2\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-j1kual-LinkWrapper e1y5lbp30\"><span class=\"call-to-action-link-text-wrapper\">Contact form<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1tbej63-ButtonWrapper e1qopuuw0\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"ssrcss-1xsmlvd-Button eoocusk1\">Contact form<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"Who-will-feature-in-the-Nations-League-quarterfinals\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Who will feature in the Nations League quarter-finals?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Portugal are the only side guaranteed to play in the quarter-finals at present, having won their opening four matches in Group A4.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Spain will join them from Group A3 on Tuesday, should they beat Croatia and Czech Republic fail to beat England.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">If England and Spain both win on Tuesday, England would need just one point from their final two matches against Croatia and Spain next month to book their place in the last eight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In Group A1, France and Italy sit in the top two spots. Belgium are a point behind Italy in third. Two of those three sides will advance to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It is a similar tale in Group A2. Netherlands and Greece are the top two, three points clear of Germany in third. With Serbia bottom on zero points, two of the current top three will advance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In A4, Denmark are second and three points clear of Wales and Norway. One of the trio will join table-toppers Portugal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The quarter-finals are played across two legs in March&#8217;s international break.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The winners of each tie will advance to the semi-finals in June 2027, which are played in a one-off match across Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 June. The final takes place on Sunday, 13 June.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"How-are-the-home-nations-faring\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">How are the home nations faring?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/53d2\/live\/c99acf60-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/53d2\/live\/c99acf60-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/53d2\/live\/c99acf60-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/53d2\/live\/c99acf60-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/53d2\/live\/c99acf60-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/53d2\/live\/c99acf60-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Wales are in a three-way battle alongside Norway and Denmark to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">While England&#8217;s League A campaign has gone well so far, Wales&#8217; has been trickier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In a tough group with Portugal, Denmark and Norway, Wales have picked up three points from four games after beating Norway 2-1 in Cardiff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">With Portugal already qualified for the last eight, Wales will need close to maximum points in their final matches against Norway and Portugal to stand any chance of making the last eight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A third-place finish would put them in a play-off to avoid relegation in March, while coming last in the group would guarantee a drop down to League B.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Like England, Scotland have three rounds of fixtures remaining. They face Slovenia at Hampden Park on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Going into that tie, they are third in League B1 but only behind Slovenia on goal difference. A win for Sebastien Pocognoli&#8217;s side would put them second behind Switzerland heading into the November break.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">With Scotland&#8217;s penultimate match coming against bottom of the table North Macedonia, wins in their next two games would all but seal a place in the top two heading into their final match against Switzerland, who are expected to clinch the automatic promotion spot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Northern Ireland have had a successful international break with two wins, two draws and no goals conceded in their four matches in Group B2.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">They sit top of the group by a point, with their remaining matches against bottom side Ukraine and second-place Hungary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Should they beat Ukraine and Hungary fail to beat Georgia in November&#8217;s first round of fixtures, they will guarantee top spot and promotion. A win for them and Hungary doing the same would mean the two sides face off in a promotion-decider in the final round of games.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Republic of Ireland are third in Group B3 following five points from their first four matches.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Their remaining two fixtures are against the top two teams Austria and Kosovo. Wins in both would guarantee a top-two finish and would also put them in a strong position to win the group, depending on goal difference and the result of Austria&#8217;s meeting with Israel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"How-does-the-Nations-League-affect-Euro-2028-qualifying\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">How does the Nations League affect Euro 2028 qualifying?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/f295\/live\/7847c270-c171-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/f295\/live\/7847c270-c171-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/f295\/live\/7847c270-c171-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/f295\/live\/7847c270-c171-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/f295\/live\/7847c270-c171-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/f295\/live\/7847c270-c171-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Spain are the current holders of the European Championship, beating England in the 2024 final<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Once the Nations League campaign is concluded, all 54 competing nations will be ranked based on their performance in this edition of the competition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">That ranking will have a direct impact on qualification for the 2028 European Championships, being held in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Nations League ranking will also determine the seeding of nations for Euro 2028 qualification.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Regular qualifying will take place between March and November 2027, with play-offs for the remaining spots in the tournament to take place in March 2028.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As there are four co-hosts and none of them have been granted immediate qualification, the number of how many qualify will effectively determine how many play-off spots will be up for grabs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Uefa have said that up to two places will be given to the best-ranked co-hosts that fail to qualify for the tournament via its primary qualification route.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Scenarios have already been designed for occurrences where either two, one or zero co-hosts are given entry spots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Depending on which play-off format is required, either eight or 12 teams will enter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A total of 24 teams will enter the European Championships, 20 of them will consist of the winners of the 12 qualifying groups and the eight best runners-up from those group.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The remaining runners-up will enter the play-offs, alongside the Nations League group winners from League A, League B and League C that failed to finish in the top two of their Euro 2028 qualifying group.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">If extra teams are required, the best-ranked League D group winner will enter the play-offs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Any additional play-off spots that become available after that will filter down to the next-highest ranked Nations League finishers until the play-off spots are filled.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This article is the latest from BBC Sport&#8217;s <i>Ask Me Anything<\/i> team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"More-questions-answered\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">More questions answered&#8230;<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-2st5ed-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">How does the Nations League work and who is in each league?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">How much money do clubs get for Nations League players?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Do clubs get compensation for player injuries on international duty?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Why penalty for Williamson handball was correct call<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Wales Men&#8217;s Football Team<\/li>\n<li>England Men&#8217;s Football Team<\/li>\n<li>Scotland Men&#8217;s Football Team<\/li>\n<li>Football<\/li>\n<li>Northern Ireland Men&#8217;s Football Team<\/li>\n<li>Republic of Ireland Men&#8217;s Football Team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/crz65j3xyn9xo&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/2864\/live\/7a894370-c170-11f1-a003-8be783290413.jpg&#8221;] How promotion, relegation and knockouts work in Nations League Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England are closing in on reaching the knockout rounds of the 2026-27 Uefa Nations League ByJonty Colman BBC Sport journalist Published 8 hours ago England will close in on qualification for the 2026-27 Nations League quarter-finals if they [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[35,226],"class_list":["post-2182207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-bbc-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2182207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2182207"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2182207\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2182207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2182207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2182207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}