The UEFA Executive Committee approved adjustments to the promotion/relegation system of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League, to allow for a smooth transition to the new concept that was approved in May 2026, whereby the UEFA Nations League will consist of three leagues instead of four leagues as of the 2028/29 edition.
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Play-offs
The following teams contest the play-offs, which determine their league allocations for the next edition of the competition, based on their ranking in the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League at the end of the league phase:
The League A/B play-offs are contested by the two lowest-ranked third-placed teams from League A, and the two highest-ranked fourth-placed teams from League A; against the four runners-up from League B.
The League B/C play-offs are contested by the four fourth-placed teams from League B against the four runners-up from League C.
Promotion/relegation
Associations are promoted and relegated between the leagues for the next edition of the competition as follows:
The four group winners of League B are promoted to League A.
The two lowest-ranked fourth-placed teams of Leagues A are relegated to League B.
The four winners of the League A/B play-off ties play in League A and the four defeated teams play in League B.
The four group winners of League C are promoted to League B.
The four winners of the League B/C play-off ties play in League B and the four defeated teams play in League C.
Since there will be no more League D, all league D teams are promoted to League C.
League composition for 2028/29 UEFA Nations League
The composition of the 2028/29 UNL will therefore include the following teams based on their results in the 2026/27 edition:
League A
• 8 League A quarterfinalists
• 2 highest-ranked 3rd-placed teams of League A
• 4 League B group winners
• 4 winners of the League A/B play-offs
League B
• 2 lowest-ranked 4th-placed teams of League A
• 4 teams defeated in the League A/B play-offs
• 4 3rd-placed teams of League B
• 4 League C group winners
• 4 winners of the League B/C play-offs
League C
• 4 teams defeated in the League B/C play-offs
• 8 teams placed 3rd and 4th in League C
• 6 League D teams
In the new structure, the UEFA Nations League, as of the 2028/29 edition will have Leagues A, B and C composed of three groups of six teams playing six matches against five different opponents: home or away against teams from different pots, home and away against the opponent of their same pot.
With 55 teams participating, League C will include one group of 7 teams, whose calendar will start one window earlier. Quarter-finals, Final Four and Promotion/relegation Play-Offs will complete the format with no change.