European international football enters into a new phase this coming autumn and Goal takes a look at who the home nations will come up against
International football in Europe is changing and the inaugural UEFA Nations League, which gets under way this September, marks the beginning of a whole new era.
A total of 55 teams from across the continent will take part in the venture, which seeks inject fresh impetus into the international game by making meaningless friendlies a thing of the past.
The structure of the competition may seem complicated – see our explainer here – but it will all become very familiar this autumn.
With first games set to get started in just over a month’s time, Goal takes a look at the teams awaiting England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Who are England’s UEFA Nations League opponents?
England are in the top division of the Nations League – League A – and they have been drawn in Group 4 alongside Spain and World Cup finalists Croatia .
Gareth Southgate’s side get things started on September 8 at Wembley Stadium against Spain. The following month, they have an away double-header, with a game against Croatia in Rijeka on October 12 and another encounter with La Furia Roja in Seville taking place three days later.
The Three Lions conclude their Group 4 campaign at home with a return game against Luka Modric and Co. at Wembley on November 18.
Since they are in the top league, England have a chance of winning the competition, with each of the group winners in League A progressing to the ‘final four’ stage.
However, should they finish bottom of the group, they will be relegated to League B.
England 2018-19 Nations League fixtures:
| Date | Match | Time (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 8 | England vs Spain | 19:45 |
| Oct 12 | Croatia vs England | 19:45 |
| Oct 15 | Spain vs England | 19:45 |
| Nov 18 | England vs Croatia | 19:45 |
Who are Scotland’s UEFA Nations League opponents?
Scotland are in League C of the Nations League, which means, out of all the British teams involved, they are the lowest ranked.
They were drawn in Group 1, which is the only three-team group in the section, alongside Albania and Israel .
Alex McLeish will lead his country into battle for the first time in the competition when they host Albania at Hampden Park on September 10.
A trip to Haifa to play Israel follows on October 11 before a double-header of games the next month, with Albania away on November 17 and Israel at home three days later.
Promotion to League B is the prize for topping the group, while finishing bottom will result in relegation to League D – the absolute lowest division.
Scotland 2018-19 Nations League fixtures:
| Date | Match | Time (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | Scotland vs Albania | 19:45 |
| Oct 11 | Israel vs Scotland | 19:45 |
| Nov 17 | Albania vs Scotland | 19:45 |
| Nov 20 | Scotland vs Israel | 19:45 |
Who are Wales’ UEFA Nations League opponents?
Wales’ inaugural Nations League adventure remarkably sees them renew acquaintance with the Republic of Ireland and Denmark, who were also their opponents in the qualification phase for World Cup 2018.
Ryan Giggs’ side are in the second tier of the competition – League B – and they were drawn into Group 4. Unlike the rest of the British representatives, Wales kick things off in September with two games.
First up, the host Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium on September 6 and then they travel to Aarhus to face the Danes on September 9.
On October 16 they make the short trip to Dublin to take on the Boys in Green before concluding matters at home to Denmark on November 16.
Wales 2018-19 Nations League fixtures:
| Date | Match | Time (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 6 | Wales vs Republic of Ireland | 19:45 |
| Sep 9 | Denmark vs Wales | 17:00 |
| Oct 16 | Republic of Ireland vs Wales | 19:45 |
| Nov 16 | Wales vs Denmark | 19:45 |
Who are Northern Ireland’s UEFA Nations League opponents?
Northern Ireland are in League B of the Nations League and they will come up against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Austria in Group 3 of that particular section.
The first game for Michael O’Neill’s team is scheduled to take place on September 8 at Windsor Park in Belfast, with Bosnia & Herzegovina providing the opposition.
The following month they have two away games, with a clash against Austria in Vienna on October 12 and their second meeting with the Bosnians taking place in Sarajevo on October 15.
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Northern Ireland conclude their Group 3 campaign at home to Austria on November 18.
While they cannot win the competition, they can earn promotion to League A by topping the group, but they will be relegated to League C should they finish bottom.
Northern Ireland 2018-19 Nations League fixtures:
| Date | Match | Time (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 8 | Northern Ireland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | 2pm |
| Oct 12 | Austria vs Northern Ireland | 7:45pm |
| Oct 15 | Bosnia & Herzegovina v Northern Ireland | 7:45pm |
| Nov 18 | Northern Ireland vs Austria | 5pm |
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