The UEFA Nations League returns this month as Portugal, France and Spain bid to become the first double winners of the fledgling competition, while the rest of League A hope to become first-time champions.

( MORE: How will the US national team fare against Canada? )

Everyone wants to move up, and that goes for League B new boys England and League C new boys Sweden too. Yes, big names with big names like Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski can now say they have tasted relegation.

Here you will find all the questions you may have, plus the schedules and standings, once the UNL hits the screens in September.

How does the UEFA Nations League work?

The UEFA Nations League involves all 55 UEFA member associations, divided into four ‘leagues’: League A, League B, League C and League D.

Leagues A through C each have 16 teams, divided into groups of four. League D has six teams divided into two groups of three.

The team finishing last in each group in Division A, B and C will be automatically relegated to a lower division for the next tournament. The teams finishing third in each Division A and B will play a play-off against a team finishing second in a lower group. The teams will play a play-off to stay or to move up to a higher division.

The two runners-up from Division D will play the top two fourth-placed teams from Division C for the remaining spots in Group C.

UEFA Nations League Final, Winners

2018-19: Portugal beats Netherlands in Portugal, 1-0
2020-21: France beat Spain in Italy, 2-1
2022-23: Spain beat Croatia in the Netherlands, 0-0 after halftime (5-4 penalties)

UEFA Nations League primer 2024-2025: Where does England stand?

Perhaps shockingly, England managed just three points from Group A3 in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, losing twice to Hungary and once to Italy, drawing twice with Germany and sharing one point with the Italians.

The Three Lions are the heavy favourites to win Group B2 in the 2024-25 tournament, which will see them play Finland, Greece and Ireland at home and away.

A lesser-known surprise was that Sweden were relegated from Group B in a tough Group B4 with Serbia, Norway and Slovenia in the 2022-23 season.

UEFA Nations League Group A 2024-25 Match Schedule, Results

September 5, 2024

Portugal vs Croatia
Scotland vs Poland
Denmark vs Switzerland
Serbia vs Spain

September 6, 2024

Belgium vs Israel
France vs Italy

September 7, 2024

Germany vs Hungary
Netherlands vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

September 8, 2024

Croatia vs Poland
Portugal vs Scotland
Denmark vs Serbia
Switzerland vs Spain

September 9, 2024

France vs Belgium
Israel vs Italy

October 10, 2024

Israel vs France
Italy vs Belgium

October 11, 2024

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Germany
Hungary vs Netherlands

October 12, 2024

Croatia vs Scotland
Poland vs Portugal
Serbia vs Switzerland
Spain vs Denmark

October 14, 2024

Belgium vs France
Italy vs Israel
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Hungary
Germany vs Netherlands

October 15, 2024

Poland vs Croatia
Scotland vs Portugal
Spain vs Serbia
Switzerland vs Denmark

November 14, 2024

Belgium vs Italy
France vs Israel

November 15, 2024

Portugal vs Poland
Scotland vs Croatia
Denmark vs Spain
Switzerland vs Serbia

November 16, 2024

Germany vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Netherlands vs Hungary

November 17, 2024

Israel v Belgium
Italy vs France

November 18, 2024

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Netherlands
Hungary vs Germany
Serbia vs Denmark
Spain vs Switzerland

November 19, 2024

Croatia vs Portugal
Poland vs Scotland

UEFA Nations League Group A Tables 2024-25

Group A1

1. Croatia
2. Portugal
3. Poland
4. Scotland

Group A2

1. Italy
2. Belgium
3. France
4. Israel

Group A3

1. The Netherlands
2. Hungary
3. Germany
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Group A4

1. Spain
2. Denmark
3. Switzerland
4. Serbia

2024-25 UEFA Nations League knockout round dates

Quarterfinals — March 20 and 25

Four group winners versus four group winners (draw November 22)

Semi-finals — June 4th and 5th

Quarterfinal winners

Play-off for third place – June 8

Final — June 8