As the Nations League enters the quarterfinals and Europe’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign begins, international football in Europe makes its debut in 2025.
In a week when all of Europe’s top players are competing, the Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs are also scheduled.
Five talking points are examined by AFP Sport prior to the action:
 DEFENDING CHAMPIONS SPAIN.
After winning the European Championship last year and the 2023 edition of the competition, Luis de la Fuente’s team is hoping to win the Nations League for the third time in a row when they play the Netherlands on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
The team, which will play a two-leg match against the Dutch, includes Euro 2024 breakout stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, as well as Dani Olmo and Alvaro Morata. The winner will advance to the semifinals.
In this inaugural edition of the expanded Nations League final phase, Denmark will play Portugal, and France will play Croatia in the round of eight.
THE HOSTS
In the other quarterfinal, Germany and Italy square off; the victor advances to the round of four and secures their place as the Nations League finals hosts.
The first leg between Germany and Euro 2020 winners Italy is scheduled for Thursday at Milan’s San Siro. Three days later, the rematch will take place in Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion.
On June 4-5, the semifinals kick off the four-team final tournament. June 8 is the date of the final.
TUCHEL’S TEST
Following the hiring of Thomas Tuchel, a former manager of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, England embarks on their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup under a new manager.
As England looks to win their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup, the German will not be deceived that his reign will ultimately be evaluated by their performance in important competitions.
“Exciting and a bit surreal,” Tuchel described his role as England’s first German leader last Friday.
“I’m really proud of this honor, which is a huge one. I will make sure that I earn the right to be here because I am fully aware of it.”
When Albania visits Wembley on Friday, Tuchel will make his debut before Latvia trip to London on the 24th of March.
France faceoff with Croatia.
Outgoing France coach Didier Deschamps, who declared in January that he would be leaving his position following the 2026 World Cup in North America, is one coach whose accomplishments Tuchel will undoubtedly be anxious to duplicate.
Six years after taking over as coach in 2012, the captain of France’s first World Cup-winning team in 1998 orchestrated his nation’s second victory in the biggest football competition.
Deschamps stated in January that “all good things come to an end, and you also need to know when to stop.”
“It’s okay that it has been 12 years and will soon be 14. Even though I’ve served my time, I still have time left.
Deschamps will appropriately start the conclusion of his reign as France boss against Croatia in the Nations League quarterfinals – the same side he defeated in the 2018 World Cup final.
0 Comments