Victor Chi
Updated on: October 8, 2024 3:00 pm GMT
International football returns to the forefront as the UEFA Nations League kicks off its 2024 campaign with key matches across Europe. Scheduled to begin on Thursday, the tournament will see prominent footballing nations, including Spain, England, and Portugal, striving for success in a more complex tournament format. The action unfolds less than eight weeks after Spain’s glorious victory over England in the Euro 2024 final held in Berlin.
Spain’s Title Defense Begins
Spain, fresh off their triumph at the European Championships and Olympic gold, resumes their footballing duties with the aim of defending their Nations League title. Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, La Roja enters the competition’s Group 4 in League A. Their opening matches pose a significant challenge, starting with an away game against Serbia, followed by a fixture against Switzerland in Geneva. Denmark rounds out the competitive group.
The squad will miss key players such as Alvaro Morata, Unai Simon, and Mikel Merino due to injuries, all of whom contributed to Spain’s successful Euros campaign. Nevertheless, the team features emerging talents like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, while Oscar Mingueza, the former Barcelona right-back now at Celta Vigo, and Valencia midfielder Pepelu are set to join the lineup. Coach de la Fuente expressed his determination, stating, “We will keep fighting and trying to go as far as possible in every competition.”
England’s Transition Under Lee Carsley
Following a disappointing Euros campaign, England embarks on a new chapter as Gareth Southgate steps down from his role as head coach. Interim manager Lee Carsley, previously in charge of the Under-21 team, will oversee England for the upcoming double-header, where the team will face Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and Finland at home in Wembley. This transitional phase offers the Football Association time to seek a permanent replacement, with World Cup qualifying not commencing until March.
While Carsley aims to revitalize the squad, he faces challenges with injuries sidelining star midfielder Jude Bellingham. However, the interim coach has called up four uncapped players: Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, and Angel Gomes. England’s re-entry into the Nations League will be determined by their performance against Ireland and Finland, as the team strives to recover from relegation in the previous edition, which saw them compete in League A.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Continued Commitment
Despite experiencing a lackluster Euro 2024, where he failed to score in five matches, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be a significant presence in Portugal’s lineup. Head coach Roberto Martinez has included the 39-year-old striker in his squad as Portugal prepares to face Croatia, Scotland, and Poland in Group 1 of League A. Ronaldo, who currently plays for the Saudi club Al-Nassr, addressed speculation about his retirement by stating, “When the time comes, I’ll move on.” With Goncalo Ramos sidelined due to injury, Ronaldo is expected to play a prominent role in the upcoming matches.
Fresh Starts and New Leadership
Several nations are ushering in a new era with fresh managerial appointments. Ireland’s first fixture against England marks the inaugural game for their new Icelandic head coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, who aims to steer the team towards success in World Cup qualifying. Similarly, Wales will compete under the guidance of Craig Bellamy, who has replaced Rob Page following the country’s failure to qualify for the Euro 2024. Sweden’s Jon Dahl Tomasson, a former Denmark international, will lead his team through their first competitive matches, while Mircea Lucescu makes a notable return as Romania’s head coach after more than three decades.
Nations League Format Changes
This year’s Nations League brings a revamped structure, introducing quarter-finals scheduled for March involving the top two teams from each League A group. The four-team finals will take place next June. Teams finishing third in League A and second in League B will participate in relegation and promotion playoffs, mirroring arrangements between Leagues B and C. Moreover, the tournament impacts World Cup qualifying, with the top 12 group winners in European qualifying directly qualifying for the World Cup, while four more places will be filled through playoffs involving runners-up and the highest-ranked teams in the Nations League who have not otherwise qualified.
People are really excited about these matches! It’s a big deal for teams that want to win, players who want to prove themselves, and countries that want to prepare for the World Cup qualifying games.
