Nations League 2024/25 explained IN FULL: Draw details, schedule, teams, format and World Cup info as UEFA revamps tournament

The latest incarnation of the Nations League is set to start later this year as UEFA revamps the international tournament.

Spain are the current holders after beating Croatia in the final in 2023.

Spain beat Croatia in the Netherlands to lift the Nations League trophy

The Nations League has proven to be a good way for some of UEFA's smaller countries to develop and get the chance to qualify for the Euros due to the play-off rules.

But ahead of the latest draw, there have been a few changes, and talkSPORT.com has all the information.

Nations League 2024/25: Draw details

The draw for this edition of the Nations League is set to take place on Thursday, February 8, in Paris.

It is due to start at 5pm UK time.

The draw sees all 54 of UEFA's member countries placed into groups of four, with four in each league from A to C and two in League D.

England are in League B after being relegated last time, while Scotland are in League A and are likely to be facing some of Europe's best teams, including France and Spain.

England's last Nations League campaign was a failure, meaning they are in League BCredit: Getty

Nations League 2024/25: Pots

League A

Pot 1: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands Pot 2: Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary Pot 3: Switzerland, Germany, Poland, France Pot 4: Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Scotland

League B

Pot 1: Austria, Czech Republic, England, Wales Pot 2: Finland, Ukraine, Iceland, Norway Pot 3: Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, Montenegro Pot 4: Georgia, Greece, Turkey, Kazakhstan

League C

Pot 1: Romania, Sweden, Armenia, Luxembourg Pot 2: Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Faroe Islands Pot 3: North Macedonia, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Cyprus Pot 4: Belarus, Lithuania/Gibraltar*, Estonia, Latvia

League D

Pot 1: Lithuania/Gibraltar*, Moldova Pot 2: Malta, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein

* Gibraltar and Lithuania face a play-off to decide who ends in leagues C and D, in March 2024.

Scotland are going to be mixing it with the big boysCredit: Getty

Nations League 2024/25: Format

In previous editions of the Nations League, the group winners from League A would progress to the semi-finals.

But this time, the winners and runners-up will go through and face each other in two-legged quarter-finals to determine the last four.

UEFA have also added relegation and promotion play-offs for leagues A to C.

This means that the four teams who finish third in League A and League B will face the four sides who finish second in League B and C, respectively.

These games will be over two legs, like the League A quarter-finals, and will determine who is relegated and promoted.

There will also be play-offs between the two best fourth-placed teams in League C and the two runners-up in League D.

UEFA think this adds more meaningful matches to the competition and means more countries have something to fight for.

Away from that, the top teams in leagues B to D are promoted, and the bottom sides in A and B are relegated.

Croatia were left heartbroken last time

Nations League 2024/25: Dates and schedule

League phase: September 5 - November 19

League A quarter finals / promotion & relegation play-offs: March 20 - March 25, 2025

Nations League semi-finals: June 4 - June 5, 2025

Nations League final: June 8, 2025

Nations League 2024/25: World Cup 2026 links

In the last edition of the Nations League, there were Euro 2024 play-off spots reserved, and this time, it could give some of the smaller nations a chance to go to the World Cup in 2026.

World Cup qualifying starts in 2025, and the 12 European group winners will automatically qualify.

Twelve runners-up will then enter play-offs, but there will be four other spots, which will be taken by the four best-ranked Nations League group winners who have not finished first or second in regular qualifying.

This means teams who are unlikely to finish top or second when qualifying starts can still make the World Cup via a good Nations League campaign.

Scotland are one of many teams who could benefit from this play-off rule

Nations League 2024/25: Can England face the other home nations?

England can be drawn against the Republic of Ireland in League B.

Wales are also in League B but are in pot one with England, so the Three Lions can't face the Dragons, but Ireland are in pot three.

However, England could find themselves playing Scotland in one of the relegation/promotion play-offs should Gareth Southgate's men finish second in League B and the Tartan Army third in League A.