Italy handed Nations League relegation reprieve as UEFA confirms rule changes | OneFootball

UEFA has softened the relegation rules for this season’s Nations League, giving Italy a safer landing if their group goes badly.

According to the FIGC, the changes were confirmed by UEFA’s Executive Committee meeting in Thessaloniki, and exist to prepare for a bigger overhaul from 2028-29, when each league will expand from 16 teams to 18 and be split into three groups of six.

PARMA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: (L-R) Leonardo Bonucci and Roberto Mancini attend the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)

What has actually changed for Italy

Previously, the bottom side in each League A group went down automatically and all four third-placed teams faced a play-off.

Now only the two worst fourth-placed teams are relegated outright. The two best third-placed teams stay up without playing again, while the two worst third-placed sides and the two best fourth-placed sides go into play-offs against the League B runners-up.

Qualification is unchanged: four group winners and four runners-up reach the quarter-finals. In short, the route forward is the same, the drop is harder to fall through.

ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 15: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini attends before the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semifinal match between Spain and Italy at FC Twente Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Enschede, Netherlands. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Roberto Mancini’s side face four matches in 11 days, starting with Belgium in Rome on 25 September.