What’s at stake for England in the Nations League | OneFootball

We are into the third international break of this footballing season after only 11 matches of the Premier League campaign.

With this break being the final one of 2024, England head into their final two Nations League matches knowing promotion to League A is still a high possibility, with matches against Greece and Republic of Ireland in the coming days.

The Three Lions cannot be automatically relegated, but still face the possibility of a relegation play-off if results do not go their way. The most likely scenario is either a promotion play-off between a current League A side or automatic promotion.

England will almost certainly need to win their final two Group B2 matches to achieve promotion, with tonight’s opponents Greece three points ahead. If they lose both games, Ireland will need to win both, alongside a heavy goal difference swing, to send the English to the relegation play-off.

These two matches will be interim manager Lee Carsley’s final games in charge, having taken temporary charge of England following Gareth Southgate’s resignation after Euro 2024. Incoming manager Thomas Tuchel will take over from January ahead of the qualification campaign for World Cup 2026.

A group win would give England a World Cup play-off spot if they have a disastrous qualifying campaign.

Promotion play-off opponents

As it stands, Carsley’s men would be drawn to face Poland, Belgium, Hungary or Serbia in a promotion play-off, as they all currently sit in third in the League A groups. However, Switzerland or Denmark, Netherlands, France or Croatia are all able to finish third in League A groups if results go against them.

The play-off draw will be made on November 22, with the League A sides playing the second leg at home. The play-offs will take place on March 20 and 23.

Injury issues

Carsley’s preparations have been far from smooth sailing ahead of this November break, with eight players called up from the original squad having to pull out due to injury, including the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Phil Foden.

A plethora of U21 players have been brought into the fold to replace their senior counterparts, with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers the notable addition. Curtis Jones’ impressive form for Liverpool has seen him called up, whilst Newcastle’s fullback duo of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall both make the squad after impressive starts to their seasons.

The updated squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Burnley).

Defenders: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Rico Lewis (Man City), Kyle Walker (Man City), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Tino Livramento (Newcastle).

Midfielders: Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham).