The Nations League has unexpectedly become more exciting.

WE MUST FIGHT TO THE DEATH FOR THE WORLD CUP

The group stage of the UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 will conclude after a series of matches from November 14-19 (each team will play their final two matches). There will be promotion/relegation, or play-offs to determine promotion/relegation after the group stage. In League A, the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals and compete for the championship in a knockout format in 2025.

Ronaldo (right) and the Portuguese team have a significant advantage over Poland in Group 1.

Beyond its status as an official tournament organized by UEFA since the 2018-2019 season (this is the 4th season of the Nations League), the upcoming matches are of particular importance because they are related to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the European region. The draw for these qualifiers will take place on December 13th. FIFA rankings are the primary basis for seeding. The results of the upcoming Nations League matches will be the main factor determining the ranking of European teams in the FIFA rankings at the time of the World Cup qualifying draw.

Never before has the race for World Cup qualification in Europe been as intense and difficult as it is now. At the 1982 World Cup, there were 24 teams, with Europe having 14. Now, the World Cup finals have been expanded to 48 teams, but Europe still only has 16 participating. Back when Europe had 14 teams in the 1982 World Cup, only 7 teams qualified for the 1984 European Championship (along with the host nation). This means that qualifying for the European Championship was much harder than qualifying for the World Cup. Now, it's the opposite: the European Championship has 24 teams, while only 16 European teams qualify for the World Cup.

Only the top teams in the European qualifying rounds are guaranteed a place in the World Cup finals. This increases the importance of luck in the draw. Determining the seeding groups is therefore crucial. On the other hand, according to a rather convoluted set of regulations, smaller teams in Europe also have a chance to qualify for the World Cup through their performance in the Nations League. At EURO 2024, Georgia made their first appearance in a major tournament, even reaching the knockout stage, thanks to their success in the 2022-2023 Nations League. It's worth noting that most teams will be competing fiercely in the upcoming Nations League matches, and this isn't just a "disguised friendly" competition, as some might dismiss it.

SPAIN AND GERMANY ARE GUARANTEED TO ADVANCE.

In League A so far, defending champions Spain (Group 4) have already secured a place in the quarter-finals. Denmark and Serbia will compete for the remaining spot. Similarly, Germany is in the quarter-finals in Group 3, with Hungary and the Netherlands vying for the other spot. Italy and France have a significant advantage over Belgium (Group 2), while Portugal and Croatia have a strong advantage over Poland (Group 1). There's only one minor surprise in League A so far: Switzerland is bottom of Group 4, unlikely to avoid relegation. Scotland, Israel, and Bosnia & Herzegovina are all at the bottom of the remaining groups, and their relegation at the end of the group stage would not be surprising.

The matches tonight (early morning of November 16th, Vietnam time) are Portugal vs. Poland, Scotland vs. Croatia, Denmark vs. Spain, and Switzerland vs. Serbia.

Cristiano Ronaldo is still in the Portuguese squad. However, veteran Robert Lewandowski has withdrawn from the Polish team due to injury. Lewandowski's Barcelona teammate, young star Lamine Yamal, has also withdrawn from the Spanish squad for the same reason. With their consistent strength, Denmark is aiming for a rare victory against a Spanish team without Yamal, Gavi, Rodri, Dani Carvajal, Unai Simon, and Pau Torres.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nations-league-bat-ngo-tro-nen-hap-dan-185241114225805272.htm