Now the dust has settled on the Nations League, the big question on everyone’s mind is, how do Wales qualify for Euro 2025?
The process is complicated to say the least, but below, we’ve taken the stress of it all out for you and broken it down in an (hopefully) easy and concise way.
Where are we now?
Firstly, let’s clear up where we are now.
Wales have finished bottom of their League A group, meaning they are instantly relegated into League B.
As a result, while Nations League playoffs take place in February and March next year, Wales will have no match, and it’s likely that they will play friendlies during this time instead.
So far, so good.
What’s next?
Right, here’s where things matter.
In Spring 2024, qualifying will take place for Euro 2025.
Groups are decided on the previous Nations League campaign. Therefore, Wales will be in League B of Euro qualifying, and we will know who Wales could be in a group with after the playoffs in February and March.
League B will have four groups of four.
The winners of their respective League B groups, along with the two best runners-up, will advance to the first playoff round as seeded teams.
There, they will either play a third place League B team, or one of the other two remaining runners-up.
The winners of those games will advance to the next and final playoff round.
The second round is completely unseeded. That means, Wales could play a low ranked League A team, another League B team, or even a League C team. It is an open draw that will comprise of 14 teams.
If Wales come through that, they will qualify for Euro 2025 in Switzerland.
In addition to all that, if Wales were to win their League B group, they would be promoted back to League A for the next edition of the Nations League.
Which teams will Wales definitely not play?
The good news for Wales is they won’t be playing any of the big teams in League B. The likes of England, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain will all be in League A.
Wales also won’t play the teams who have just won their League B group. Therefore, Wales won’t play the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Poland, or Czechia.
The ONLY time Wales could play anyone from League A will be the final playoff round.
In summary?
Being in League B could be very beneficial for Wales.
They won’t play the calibre of team that they’ve faced in League A, and they should finish top of their League B group.
They should also win the first playoff round, then it simply comes down to the luck of the draw in the final round.
All in all, 2024 is sure to be an interesting year for Gemma Grainger and her squad.
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