UEFA Nations League format set for 2018

UEFA's first new 'Nations League' -- the competition
which is being brought in to replace a number of friendly dates
-- will be played between September and November 2018,
UEFA said on Thursday.
Each country will play six matches in the new tournament,
which will see UEFA's 52 countries split into four divisions,
each with four groups of three or four teams. Teams will be
grouped on strength, and there will be promotion and
relegation between the groups.
The winners of the four groups in division A, which will be
made up the strongest teams, will play the semifinals and final
in June 2019 to become the UEFA Nations League
champions.
The four semifinalists will also qualify automatically for the
finals of Euro 2020, which is being played in 13 countries
across Europe with the final at London's Wembley stadium.
"The key driver of the UEFA Nations League is sporting
integrity, as member associations, coaches, players and
supporters increasingly feel that friendly internationals are not
providing adequate sporting competition," UEFA said in a
statement.
"In addition, the competition will help UEFA realise its
stated goal of improving the quality and standing of national
team football while maintaining the balance between club and
international football.
"The competition will establish the UEFA Nations League
champions every odd year while also allowing all nations to
play competitively at their level."
The Nations League placings will determine the seedings for
the Euro 2020 qualifying programme , when the top two in 10
groups will join the four semifinalists from the Nations League
playoffs.