The final group stage window of the inaugural Women’s Nations League is fast approaching with countries jostling for promotion and position. With the semi-finals on the horizon for many teams in the A-League, others will focus on securing a good place for the Euro 2025 qualifying stage. Moving the goalposts disrupted the format in September and the majority of placements need to be decided.
None of the semi-finalists have been confirmed and all top spots in the A-League are still up for grabs. This means that the European teams that will take part in next summer’s Olympics are unknown. The final finalists will qualify for the Paris Games; If France does this, a place will be given to the third-place team. For Team GB to qualify, England is considered the candidate side.
We will also keep an eye on the relegation fight. Who will avoid the fall? Who will be forced into the play-offs? So who will have an unexpected holiday during the February international break?
A League
England are in an unstable position in Group 1, having had a mixed season. The World Cup final hangover is clearly visible as they have suffered two defeats in four matches and late losses to the Netherlands and Belgium.
This robs them of qualification for Paris 2024 and they need to be wary of being dragged into the relegation battle. Wembley and Beth Mead’s return to the Netherlands on Friday will provide a boost to Sarina Wiegman’s team, but the injury-related absence of captain Millie Bright is a blow.
Even if they beat the Netherlands and then Scotland away this window, they will need encouragement from Belgium to drop points in their last two games. Ives Serneels’ team stood out and two wins secured a place in the semi-finals. The Netherlands are still well placed for qualifying, sitting at the top and Scotland need to win twice to avoid automatic relegation. The drop would deal a heavy blow to hopes of qualifying for Euro 2025.
France is top of Group 2 and needs a point to advance against Austria at home. With Irene Fuhrmann’s Austria almost second in the table, all eyes will be on Friday’s clash between Portugal and Norway. They meet Portugal in Oslo knowing that a win will automatically see them avoid relegation.
Germany and Denmark faced each other in Rostock on Friday in their fight to qualify for Group 3. Denmark won the reverse match 2-0 but was without their talismanic leader Pernille Harder. Gemma Grainger’s Wales side had a miserable group campaign, scoring few goals and leaking goals. They host Iceland first, then Germany, and must avoid defeat against Iceland to avoid automatic relegation to League B.
World Cup champions Spain have put their off-field troubles behind them in Group 4 and are one win away from progressing. Tokyo 2020 silver medalists Sweden are still in the race but their chances are slim. Meanwhile, Switzerland is struggling. The Euro 2025 hosts need not worry about European qualification but they are in very poor form. Unless there is a quick change in fortunes, they will be relegated before facing Italy, the only other team that could be automatically defeated in their final game.
B League
Finishing top of League B will earn teams a place in the top division for Euro 2025 qualification, increasing their chances of automatically reaching that tournament. So far only the Republic of Ireland have confirmed their place with two games in reserve. Eileen Gleeson’s side have enjoyed an eye-catching season with four out of four wins in Group 1, giving the interim manager the opportunity to try new faces this term.
On the other hand, a win for Finland against Romania will guarantee the top spot in Group 2; Poland and Serbia compete in Group 3, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is one point ahead of the Czech Republic in Group 4.
The runners-up will participate in the play-offs with the third-place finishers of the A-League, with the winners advancing to the top spot in the European qualifying round. Tanya Oxtoby’s Northern Ireland have endured a frustrating October, coming off a double header against Hungary with a defeat and a draw. Realistically, they are fighting for second place with the Hungarians in Group 1. While Slovakia is in second place in Group 2, Ukraine, Greece, Slovenia and Belarus in Groups 3 and 4 need to get results in their favor elsewhere to preserve their play-off hopes. live.
C League
Turkey has secured promotion to Group 2 and Malta will be promoted to League B after a standout campaign in Group 1 if they beat Moldova. Malta and Inter striker Haley Bugeja became the top scorer of the Nations League with eight goals. Azerbaijan and Kosovo top Groups 3 and 5, respectively, while Israel and Estonia top Group 4.
Only the top three runners-up advance to the play-offs, meaning the competition is heating up as the final two games approach.
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