The excitement for the UEFA Nations League has grown on Wednesday, as the draw for the upcoming competition was held to reveal who will face who. A total of 55 countries will be involved after being split into four leagues – A, B, C, and D – according to their UEFA ranking.
The teams in each league have been divided into different groups, as decided by the draw. All four groups were decided, but the most eye-catching one was the top tier.
Group 1 of League A is one of the most exciting as Germany, France, and the Netherlands were paired against each other. Check out the results of the draw below.
League A
League A draw results:
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) January 24, 2018
Group 1: Germany, France, Netherlands
Group 2: Belgium, Switzerland, Iceland
Group 3: Portugal, Italy, Poland
Group 4: Spain, England, Croatia#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/VvyBd4uwfW
League B
League B draw results
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) January 24, 2018
Group 1: Slovakia, Ukraine, Czech Republic
Group 2: Russia, Sweden, Turkey
Group 3: Austria, Bosnia, Northern Ireland
Group 4: Wales, Republic of Ireland, Denmark#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/cEJSZDIH7q
League C
League C draw results:
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) January 24, 2018
Group 1: Scotland, Albania, Israel
Group 2: Hungary, Greece, Finland, Estonia
Group 3: Slovenia, Norway, Bulgaria, Cyprus
Group 4: Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/ltdVYX8A5O
League D
League D draw results
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) January 24, 2018
Group 1: Georgia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Andorra
Group 2: Belarus, Luxembourg, Moldova, San Marino
Group 3: Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Malta, Kosovo
Group 4: FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/almQ5gdfS4
The Oranje is no longer a feared side in international football after failing to qualify for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. Beating Germany and France to a first-place finish would reintroduce the Netherlands as a commanding force in world football and give them a shot at becoming the Nations League champion. The Final Four competition will be decided who will win this competition, with only the group winners qualifying for the next round.
There is also the downside of this matchup, as the last-placed teams in each group will be relegated. This means Depay and Co. could suffer the embarrassment of dropping to League B.
The same goes for England, who was drawn in Group 4 alongside Spain and Croatia. The Three Lions have the quality to finish first but their history of shortcomings could lead to the worst-case scenario.
The games are scheduled to begin during the international breaks following the upcoming World Cup. The finals are set to be played in June of next year.