The UEFA Nations League draw takes place today, as the whole of Europe prepares for the third edition of the tournament
(Image credit: Getty)
Merry UEFA Nations League draw day, one and all. It's the most wonderful time of the year.
Today sees all 55 of Europe's footballing nations holding their collective breaths to find out who they're placed in a group with for the 2022/23 Nations League tournament, which is now in its third year.
You know the one by now – countries are ranked by how good they are, split into groups of four and we all hope for Germany to get relegated. Yes – there's promotion and relegation involved, while the top four all play a play-off to decide who wins that fancy trophy.
Here's everything you need to know about the UEFA Nations League draw.
The UEFA Nations League draw: What's the format for this competition?
(Image credit: Future)
There are 55 member nations of UEFA. All of them will be placed into the hat and drawn out into four leagues.
Leagues A, B and C will have 16 teams; League D will comprise seven teams. Leagues A, B and C will all have four groups of four; League D will have one group of four and one group of three.
Winners and losers are promoted and relegated accordingly; League A's four group winners go into a championship play-off.
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The UEFA Nations League draw: What pot is England in?
England are in Pot 3 for League A. Gareth Southgate's side is one of the top-ranked teams in the competition.
Wales join them in League A this year. They'll be in Pot 4 – so there's a chance that the Dragons will meet the Three Lions. Scotland, meanwhile, are in League B Pot 2.
The Republic of Ireland are in Pot 3 for League B, while Northern Ireland are in Pot 1 for League C.
The UEFA Nations League draw: Who's in which league?
(Image credit: Getty)
League A
France (2021 Finals)
Spain (2021 Finals)
Italy (2021 Finals)
Belgium (2021 Finals)
Portugal
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
England
Poland
Switzerland
Croatia
Wales (promoted)
Austria (promoted)
Czech Republic (promoted)
Hungary (promoted)
League B
Ukraine (relegated)
Sweden (relegated)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (relegated)
Iceland (relegated)
Finland
Norway
Scotland
Russia
Israel
Romania
Serbia
Republic of Ireland
Slovenia (promoted)
Montenegro (promoted)
Albania (promoted)
Armenia (promoted)
League C
Turkey (relegated)
Slovakia (relegated)
Bulgaria (relegated)
Northern Ireland (relegated)
Greece
Belarus
Luxembourg
North Macedonia
Lithuania
Georgia
Azerbaijan
Kosovo
Gibraltar (promoted)
Faroe Islands (promoted)
League C or D (to be confirmed)
Kazakstan
Cyprus
Estonia
Moldova
These four teams will play-off in two ties to decide who gets relegated.
League D
Liechtenstein
Malta
Latvia
San Marino
Andorra
The UEFA Nations League draw: How can I watch the draw?
The UEFA Nations League draw will be broadcast on the official YouTube channel of UEFA – everyone has one, these days.
Yes, you can stream the draw online for free from Thursday 16 December, at 5pm GMT. Lucky you.
The UEFA Nations League draw: When is the tournament?
Group fixtures will be held in June and September 2022. The four group winners in League A will progress to the play-off finals in June 2023.
One of the play-off finalists will have the opportunity to host the finals, too. It might be coming home if England get there.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
