The UEFA Nations League is getting more complicated: Everything you need to know about the competition’s overhaul
UEFA is officially restructuring the Nations League, transitioning from its existing four-league system to a three-tier format beginning with the 2028/29 edition.
Under the approved adjustments, Leagues A, B, and C will each be expanded to 18 teams, while there will no longer be a League D.
The current 2026/27 Nations League campaign will serve as the transitional cycle, using a revised set of promotion, relegation, and play-off permutations to facilitate the new setup.
The new Nations League format (2028/29)
Each of the three remaining leagues will accommodate 18 teams playing across a standard six-matchday format:
League A (18 teams): Made up of the eight 2026/27 quarter-finalists, the two best third-placed teams in League A, the four League B group winners, and the four League A/B play-off winners.
League B (18 teams): Composed of the two worst fourth-placed teams from League A, the four losers of the League A/B play-offs, all four third-placed teams in League B, the four League C group winners, and the four League B/C play-off winners.
League C (18 teams): Formed by the four losers of the League B/C play-offs, all eight teams finishing third and fourth in League C, and all six nations from League D.
To adapt the competition from four leagues to three, the following rules will apply at the end of the 2026/27 league phase.
With League D eliminated, all six League D nations receive automatic promotion to League C for 2028/29.
The four group winners in League B earn promotion to League A, while all four group winners in League C move directly to League B. Only the two lowest-ranked 4th-placed teams in League A suffer relegation to League B.
League A/B play-offs will be contested between four top-flight sides (the two lowest third-placed teams and two highest fourth-placed teams in League A) and the four runners-up from League B.
The four winners enter League A, while the four defeated sides head to League B.
League B/C play-offs are contested by the four bottom-finishing sides in League B and the four runners-up in League C. Winners play in League B for 2028/29, while losers are placed in League C.
