UEFA launched its new Nations League this week, promising to shake up the international calendar and replace pointless friendlies with meaningful competition. The inaugural tournament will take place in 2018 and 2019, helpfully filling the gap between the World Cup and European Championship. But what is the Nations League and how will it work? We answer all the key questions for you. England will be one of the 54 UEFA countries to take part in the Nations League, to be launched in 2018 How has this Nations League come about? UEFA and its members have long wanted to find a way of spicing up those largely meaningless friendlies that fill the international calendar.
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UEFA announced plans for its new Nations League this week
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The new tournament seeks to replace pointless friendly matches
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The inaugural tournament will take place in 2018 and 2019
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Nations will be placed into four Divisions according to their ranking
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These Divisions are then sub-divided, with four groups in each
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Group winners in the top division will advance to a Final Four
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There will be promotion and relegation between the Divisions
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The Nations League also forms a play-off for Euro 2020 qualifying
So between September and November 2018, @placeholder will play both of them home and away, meaning four matches in total.