The final standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League groups have almost been confirmed, and attention will soon begin to switch to the knockout stage and playoff formats of the competition.
A total of 28 European nations will participate across the knockout stage and playoff formats. Some of whom - including holders Spain - will be vying for the top prize, while others will either be pushing for promotion or fighting for survival.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up everything you need to know about the UEFA Nations League knockout stage and playoff draws.
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When will the knockout stage and playoff draws take place?
The 2024-25 UEFA Nations League knockout stage and playoff draws will take place from midday CET (11am GMT) on Friday, November 22.
It will take place at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
How can I watch the knockout stage and playoff draws?
UEFA will stream the draws live on their official website, while confirmation of which broadcasters will show the draws will be announced in due course.
UEFA have stated that the 'technical part' of the draws will take approximately 30 minutes.
What draws will be taking place?
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A total of four different draws will be taking place:
League A knockout stage: This draw will determine the four quarter-final ties taking place between the League A group winners and runners-up, as well as four semi-finals ties.
League A/B playoffs: This draw will determine the four promotion/relegation playoff ties taking place between the nations that finished third in groups from League A and the runners-up from groups in League B.
League B/C playoffs: This draw will determine the four promotion/relegation playoff ties taking place between the nations that finished third in groups from League B and the runners-up from groups in League C.
League C/D playoffs: This draw will determine the two playoff ties taking place between the two best-ranked fourth-placed nations from groups in League C and the two runners-up from the two groups in League D.
How will the draws work?
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League A knockout stage:
In previous years, only the four group winners in League A progressed to the knockout stage and competed in the semi-finals. However, the knockout stage for the 2024-25 tournament has been expanded from four nations to eight, meaning two-legged quarter-finals ties will now be played.
The four group winners in League A are seeded and placed in Pot 1, while the four runners-up are placed in Pot 2 and are drawn out first. The only restriction during this draw is that group winners cannot be drawn against the runner-up they already faced during the league phase.
The semi-final draw will then take place. Four placeholders that represent the quarter-final winners will be drawn out one by one. The placeholder drawn out first will be the home team of the first semi-final and the second nation drawn out will be the home team of the second semi-final. The third placeholder drawn out will be the away team of the first pairing, while the fourth and final placeholder drawn out will be the away team for the second pairing.
League A/B playoffs:
The four third-placed nations in groups from League A are seeded and placed in Pot 1, while the four runners-up from groups in League B are placed in Pot 2. Nations from Pot 2 are drawn out first, with the seeded Pot 1 nations drawn out next to complete each playoff tie.
Each Pot 1 nation will play away in the first legs and then at home in the second legs.
If a current League A nation wins their playoff tie, they will remain in League A and their opponent will remain in League B. However, if a current League A nation loses their playoff tie, they will be relegated and their opponent from League B will subsequently secure promotion.
League B/C playoffs:
The four third-placed nations in groups from League B are seeded and placed in Pot 1, while the four runners-up from groups in League C are placed in Pot 2. Nations from Pot 2 are drawn out first, with the seeded Pot 1 nations drawn out next to complete each playoff tie.
Each Pot 1 nation will play away in the first legs and then at home in the second legs.
If a current League B nation wins their playoff tie, they will remain in League B and their opponent will remain in League C. However, if a current League B nation loses their playoff tie, they will be relegated and their opponent from League C will subsequently secure promotion.
League C/D playoffs:
The two best-ranked fourth-placed nations from groups in League C will be seeded and placed in Pot 1, while the two runners-up from the two groups in League D are placed in Pot 2. Nations from Pot 2 are drawn out first, with the seeded Pot 1 nations drawn out next to complete the two playoff tie.
The two Pot 1 nations will play away in the first legs and then at home in the second legs.
If a current League C nation wins their playoff tie, they will remain in League C and their opponent will remain in League D. However, if a current League C nation loses their playoff tie, they will be relegated and their opponent from League D will subsequently secure promotion.
Which nations are involved in the knockout stage and playoff draws?
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League A knockout stage qualifiers:
Portugal – Group 1 winners
France – Group 2 winners
Germany – Group 3 winners
Spain – Group 4 winners
Croatia – Group 1 runners-up
Italy – Group 2 runners-up
Netherlands – Group 3 runners-up
Denmark – Group 4 runners-up
League A/B playoff qualifiers:
Scotland – Finished third in League A Group 1
Belgium – Finished third in League A Group 2
Hungary – Finished third in League A Group 3
Serbia – Finished third in League A Group 4
Czech Republic / Georgia / Albania / Ukraine – League B Group 1 runners-up
Greece – League B Group 2 runners-up
Austria – League B Group 3 runners-up
Turkey / Wales / Iceland – League B Group 4 runners-up
League B/C playoff qualifiers:
Czech Republic / Georgia / Albania / Ukraine – Finished third in League B Group 1
Republic of Ireland – Finished third in League B Group 2
Slovenia – Finished third in League B Group 3
Turkey / Wales / Iceland – Finished third in League B Group 4
Sweden / Slovakia – League C Group 1 runners-up
Romania / Kosovo – League C Group 2 runners-up
Bulgaria – League C Group 3 runners-up
Armenia – League C Group 4 runners-up
League C/D playoff qualifiers:
Estonia / Azerbaijan – Finished third in League C Group 1
Cyprus – Finished third in League C Group 2
Belarus – Finished third in League C Group 3
Faroe Islands – Finished third in League C Group 4
Gibraltar – League D Group 1 runners-up
Moldova / Malta – League D Group 2 runners-up
When will the knockout stage and playoff matches take place?
The League A quarter-finals, League A/B playoffs and League B/C playoffs are scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 20 and Sunday, March 23, 2025.
The League A semi-finals will take place on Wednesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 5, 2025 while the third-place playoff and final will follow on Sunday, June 8.
The League C/D playoffs are scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
