{
  "id": 12362465,
  "title": "How promotion, relegation and knockouts work in Nations League",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/how-promotion-relegation-and-knockouts-work-in-nations-league",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T11:01:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport Football",
    "slug": "bbc-sport-football",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crz65j3xyn9xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "England's progress in the Nations League hinges on a victory over the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday night. Currently sitting in second place within Group A3, a win will secure their position in the quarter-finals next March. This marks the final set of matches for the fourth round of group stage fixtures, with the remaining two rounds scheduled for November's international break. The top two finishers from each of the four League A groups will compete in the knockout rounds commencing in March 2027.\n\nPromotion and relegation play a significant role in the Nations League. Teams topping groups in Leagues B and C receive promotion for the upcoming cycle, while second-placed teams from Leagues B and C face a promotion/relegation play-off against third-placed teams from the league above. Relegated teams from League A and League B, along with bottom-placed finishers in these leagues, face relegation.\n\nThe upcoming format will see the elimination of League D teams. Portugal holds a guaranteed spot in the quarter-finals after winning their first four matches in Group A4. Spain will join them if they secure a win over Croatia and Czech Republic fail to beat England. If both England and Spain emerge victorious on Tuesday, England would need just one point from their subsequent games against Croatia and Spain next month to secure a quarter-final spot.\n\nIn Group A1, France and Italy occupy the top two positions, with Belgium in third. Two of these three teams will advance to the quarter-finals. Similarly, in Group A2, Netherlands and Greece are the top two teams, with Germany in third. Two of the current top three will advance. In Group A4, Denmark leads the pack, three points ahead of Wales and Norway, with one of the trio securing a place in the quarter-finals.\n\nThe quarter-finals will be played across two legs in March's international break, with the winners advancing to the semi-finals on June 9-10, 2027, and the final on June 13, 2027. England's current success in League A contrasts with Wales' tougher campaign. Wales currently sit third in Group A3, with three points from four games, following a 2-1 victory over Norway. To make the quarter-finals, Wales will need maximum points in their final matches against Norway and Portugal.\n\nScotland, currently third in Group B1, requires a win over Slovenia to move up to second place before the November break. A win in their penultimate match against North Macedonia would all but seal their position in the top two, barring a potential drop to League B. Northern Ireland, with a perfect record in Group B2, hold a one-point lead over Group B2's second-placed side, Hungary. A win against Georgia and a win by Hungary against Ukraine in November's first round of fixtures would guarantee top spot and promotion.",
  "summary": "With more than half of the 2026-27 Nations League group stage completed, BBC Sport looks at what will happen next in the competition.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "How promotion, relegation and knockouts work in Nations League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/how-promotion-relegation-and-knockouts-work-in-nations-league-12369084",
        "published": "2026-10-06T11:01:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}