The UEFA Nations League was formed primarily to replace the meaningless international friendlies that are usually played in the midst of European football season. The competition has slowly garnered popularity among football fans around the world after the success of the first two editions. The UEFA Nations League 2022-2023 started on June 1st (Wednesday), with 55 teams competing. The competition’s eventual winner will be decided by the participants of League A, in which 16 teams have contested in the league phase for a place in the Nations League Finals. The semi-finals qualification scenario is discussed in this article.
UEFA Nations League 2022-2023: Group Stage Scenario for League A
The League A features 16 of UEFA’s top-ranked national teams. League A is divided into four groups, each with four teams. Each group’s winner qualifies to the Nations League Finals, which will include two semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and the championship match. The four qualified teams will be nominated to host the Nations League Finals.
Each team will compete twice against the other teams in their group. As a result, each team will compete in six (home and away) matches against three opponents from their respective groups. Each side has already completed four of its six group stage matches as of June 15 (Wednesday). Some teams are well placed to reach the Nations League finals, while others are fighting to prevent relegation to League B. Let’s take a look at the current League A group stage scenario.
Group 1
The four participating teams in this group are France, Denmark, Croatia, and Austria. France are the reigning Nations League champion, having defeated Spain 2-1 in the second edition final on October 10, 2021. They also started the UEFA Nations League 2022–2023 as favourites, but things haven’t turned out as expected so far in the tournament. France have struggled to excel in the group stage fixtures, having lost two and drawn two in the first four matches. They are currently in the bottom position with only 2 points and have no chance to retain the title. France are fighting to avoid relegation to League B.
Denmark are the strong favourite to go to the semi-finals from this group. The national team of Denmark has won three games and lost one at home against Croatia. The Croatian team is also competing for first place in the group. Their match against Denmark in their home ground might decide who progresses from Group 1 to the semi-finals. Furthermore, if Austria avoid defeat against France in their next match, they will avoid relegation to League B.
Favourite to Reach Semi-Finals: Denmark
Remaining Fixtures (Group 1)
Date: 22 September | Fixture: Croatia vs Denmark | Venue: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
Date: 22 September | Fixture: France vs Austria | Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Date: 25 September | Fixture: Austria vs Croatia | Venue: Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna
Date: 22 September | Fixture: Denmark vs France | Venue: Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
Group 2
The four participating teams in this group are Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. The runner-up of the second edition of the Nations League, Spain started as favourites in this group. So far, they have done well in the group stage, winning two matches and drawing two. The Spanish side is currently in the first position in the standings. However, Portugal are also very much in the race for a place in the semi-finals as they are only one point behind Spain.
Remaining Fixtures (Group 2)
Date: 24 September | Fixture: Czech Republic vs Portugal | Venue: Sinobo Stadium, Prague
Date: 24 September | Fixture: Spain vs Switzerland | Venue: TBD
Date: 27 September | Fixture: Portugal vs Spain | Venue: Estadio Municipal, Braga
Date: 27 September | Fixture: Switzerland vs Czech Republic | Venue: Kybunpark, St. Gallen
Group 3
This is known as the “death group,” as Hungary, Germany, Italy, and England compete for a spot in the semi-finals. Hungary were considered the weakest team in the group, but they surprised everyone by taking the top spot at the end of the first four matches. They defeated England in both home and away matches and also drew a match against Germany at home. Germany are currently in the second position in the group. They started slowly in the campaign but showed their true potential by defeating Italy 5-2 at home.
The reigning European Champions, Italy, have a relatively young team and there are no great expectations from this side. The biggest surprise is England’s failure to perform to their full potential. The English squad possesses some of the top stars in world football. However, England have failed to win a single match and are in serious danger of being relegated to League B.
Favourite to Reach Semi-Finals: Hungary/Germany
Points Standings (Group 3)
Remaining Fixtures (Group 3)
Date: 23 September | Fixture: Germany vs Hungary | Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
Date: 23 September | Fixture: Italy vs England | Venue: San Siro, Milan
Date: 26 September | Fixture: England vs Germany | Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Date: 26 September | Fixture: Hungary vs Italy | Venue: Puskas Arena, Budapest
Group 4
The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and Wales are competing in Group 4. On paper, Belgium and the Netherlands are the strong contenders to reach the semi-finals and they have played like favourites. The Dutch national side is currently leading the points table with three wins, while Belgium is in second position with two wins. The match between the Netherlands and Belgium could decide the ultimate winner of this group.
Poland and Wales are out of the race for semi-final berths. They are currently battling it out to avoid relegation to League B. Poland are in a strong position, with a three-point lead over Wales. However, Wales may avoid relegation if they beat Poland in their last group stage fixture.
Favourite to Reach Semi-Finals: Netherlands
Points Standings (Group 4)
Remaining Fixtures (Group 4)
Date: 22 September | Fixture: Belgium vs Wales | Venue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
Date: 22 September | Fixture: Poland vs Netherlands | Venue: Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw
Date: 25 September | Fixture: Netherlands vs Belgium | Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
Date: 25 September | Fixture: Wales vs Poland | Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Way forward
The top teams from each of the four groups will proceed to the UEFA Nations League 2022-2023 Finals phase, where they will have to play semi-finals to reach the final. When looking at the current standings of the groups, it is apparent that Denmark from Group 1, Spain from Group 2, the Netherlands from Group 4, and Hungary and Germany from Group 3 are all strong contenders for a spot in the semifinals. On the other hand, Croatia, Portugal, and Belgium, have a decent chance of finishing on top of their respective groups.
Switzerland, Wales, and big teams like France and England, on the other hand, are in danger of being relegated to League B. The remainder of the Nations League group stage matches will take place in September. Then it will be revealed which teams will proceed to the semifinals and which will be relegated to League B.
SOURCE: UNITED NEWS OF BANGLADESH