Fewer relegations, fewer leagues: changes to the Nations League

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·25 September 2026

Fewer relegations, fewer leagues: changes to the Nations League

The Nations League is set for a small revolution starting with the 2028/29 edition.

While the competition currently operates with four leagues, League D will disappear. To ensure the transition, UEFA has therefore revised the promotion and relegation system between the 2026/27 and 2028/29 editions.

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Playoffs to decide promotions and relegations

In League A, the teams finishing third and fourth will not all be directly relegated. The two lowest-ranked third-place teams and the two highest-ranked fourth-place teams will face the four runners-up from League B in playoffs.

The four winners will play in League A in 2028/29, while the four losers will drop into League B.

The same principle will apply between Leagues B and C: the four teams finishing fourth in League B will face the four runners-up from League C. The winners will play in League B, the losers in League C.

Direct promotion and relegation

The four League B group winners will be promoted directly to League A. Going the other way, the bottom two fourth-placed teams in League A will be directly relegated to League B.

In League C, the four group winners will be promoted to League B.

Finally, the disappearance of League D means its six teams will be automatically promoted to League C.

What will the leagues look like in 2028/29?

League A: the eight League A quarter-finalists, the two best third-placed teams in League A, the four League B group winners, and the four winners of the A/B playoffs.

League B: the bottom two fourth-placed teams in League A, the four losers of the A/B playoffs, the four third-placed teams in League B, the four League C group winners, and the four winners of the B/C playoffs.

League C: the four losers of the B/C playoffs, the eight teams finishing third or fourth in League C, and the six teams currently in League D.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 PAU BARRENA - AFP or Licensors