How Nations League teams battle for promotion

The competition of the new edition of the Nations League is already in full swing. In League A the German national team is there, while all teams play against each other in four‑team groups. We explain the rules for qualifying for the knockout phase and the battle for staying up.

Qualification for the knockout phase

Each team plays against the three other sides in its group. The two best teams from each group advance to the knockout phase, with points, goal difference and goals scored deciding.

At the same time the two bottom‑placed teams in each group fight for survival. The worst teams must be relegated to the lower league, unless they are saved by the results in other groups.