Page 21 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.31 2022-23

England will play Scotland in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League, after the draw
for the competition was held this week.
The league stage draw for the new UEFA Women's Nations League, made by UEFA
managing director of women's football Nadine Kessler and former Spain captain Verónica
Boquete, has formed the groups to be played in the autumn.
European Champions England are in Group A1 and once again find themselves having
to play against another home nation, with the Netherlands and Belgium the other countries
in the group.
Wales are in Group A3 and have landed a tough draw, having to play Germany, Denmark
and Iceland.
Northern Ireland have been drawn in Group B1 and will be up against the Republic of
Ireland, Hungary and Albania.
The four League A group winners qualify for the knockout finals. The top two teams in
each group remain in League A for the European Qualifiers for UEFA Women's EURO 2025.
The four third placed teams play off against against the second-placed teams in each group
of League B. The winner of each match play in League A for the European Qualifiers phase;
the defeated teams play in League B. The fourth-placed teams are relegated to League B.
The four League B group winners are promoted to League A. The four second-placed
teams play against the third-placed teams in League A. The winner of each match will play
in League A; the defeated teams will play in League B. The three best third-placed teams play
off against the three best ranked second-placed teams of League C. The winners will play in
League B for the European Qualifiers phase; the defeated teams will play in League C. The
lowest ranked third-placed team and the four fourth-placed teams are relegated to League C.
The five League C group winners are promoted to League B. The third best-ranked
second-placed teams play off against the three best third-placed teams of League B. The
winners will play in League B for the European Qualifiers phase; the defeated teams will play
in League c. The remaining teams stay in League c.
The two finalists qualify for the 2024 Women's Olympic Football Tournament,
alongside hosts France. If France are among the finalists, the third placed team fills the
remaining slot in the Olympic Games. If an association that has not been confirmed by FIFA
as eligible to participate in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament qualifies, the next
best placed team that has not qualified takes their place.
League A:
Group A1: England, Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland
Group A2: France, Norway, Austria, Portugal
Group A3: Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Wales
Group A4: Sweden, Spain, Italy, Switzerland
League B:
Group B1: Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Hungary, Albania
Group B2: Finland, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia
Group B3: Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, Greece
Group B4: Czechia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus
League C:
Group C1: Malta, Moldova, Latvia, Andorra
Group C2: Türkiye, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Georgia
Group C3: Azerbaijan, Montenegro, Cyprus, Faroe Islands
Group C4: Israel, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Armenia
Group C5: North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria
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