Gareth Southgate haunted by Nations League nightmare as World Cup issue emerges
Gareth Southgate will discover England’s Nations League opponents in Thursday’s draw - but will still be haunted the last debacle.
England boss Southgate suffered the humiliation of being relegated into Group B for when the tournament kicks off again in September after failing to win any of their games in 2022.
They will be in with the likes of Finland, Slovenia and Kazakhstan rather than Spain, Italy and Germany.
But it could also have serious consequences for 2026 World Cup qualification because UEFA want group rankings to be taken from the Nations League and the 12 top seeds will come from Group A.
That could leave England with a far more difficult path to the next World Cup with Italy, France, Spain, Holland, Portugal or Belgium all potential opponents.
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England have to finish top for automatic qualification or face a play-off in March 2026 and that should serve as a painful lesson for England’s Nations League failings.
Scotland are in Europe’s elite in League A while England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are in League B and Northern Ireland are in League C.
England's Hungary humiliation (Getty Images)England could get Republic of Ireland but are in Pot One with Wales so they cannot be drawn with Rob Page’s side.
UEFA have tried to champion the Nations League as a serious competition and England’s failings last time against Hungary, Italy and Germany was a low point in Southgate’s reign.
The Nations League is also expanded as previously the four League A Group winners would progress to semi finals whereas now the winners and runners-up go into quarter finals in March 2025 before a finals in June 2025.
How do you think England will fare in Nations League. Let us know in the comments section
Southgate with Trent Alexander-Arnold after Nations League setback (Getty Images)There will also be relegation and promotion play-offs meaning that if Scotland finish third and England are second in their Group then they could potentially meet. First place secures promotion and bottom gets relegated.
UEFA’s travel restrictions mean Kazakhstan can only be drawn in a Group with a maximum of one of England, Wales, Republic of Ireland or Iceland.
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