Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Why are England in Nations League B and what do they need to do for promotion?

talksport.com, 17 November 2024, 15:24
England concludes their Nations League campaign this evening, with a chance to return to the competition's top division.

The Three Lions seized control of their destiny by exacting revenge on Greece following a 3-0 win in Athens on Thursday.

England know they need a strong finish in Group 2 of League B to right the wrongs from their relegation last campaign.

Why are England in Nations League League B?

England are in League B of the Nations League after being relegated.

The Three Lions lost 1-0 to Italy in September 2022 and the result confirmed that they would drop down.

READ MORE ON FOOTBALL

'Incredulous' - England fans tear gassed outside stadium as UEFA organisation slammed

Top-flight winner that faced four of Carsley's England squad has retired at 22 for church

It was a torrid campaign for Gareth Southgate's side who failed to win any of their League A Group 3 games, finishing bottom.

Two draws against Germany and two defeats to Hungary, one of which was a 4-0 loss at Molineux, were damaging results.

Their loss to Euro 2020 conquerors Italy then led to them experiencing relegation to the second tier of the competition.

After that defeat, Southgate and his side were booed by their supporters and the former boss admitted the results weren't good enough.

Most read in Football

Jordan blasts loophole that saw Bentancur get banned but Fernandez escape punishment

Poland captain refuses to apologise for controversial Cristiano Ronaldo photo

Tottenham announce new logo and 'remastered' brand as fans left divided over changes

Harry Kane statue hidden away for five years finally unveiled - and fans are in disbelief

He said: "I understand the reaction at the end. That's the results that we have had in this competition. It is an understandable emotional reaction."

It meant life post-Southgate started in League B under the interim leadership of Carsley.

England therefore can't win the Nations League this campaign as only teams in League A can do so.

But the aim will be to go straight back up and below you can read just how they can achieve promotion...

Gabby Agbonlahor and Alan Brazil warn Ben White he may 'regret' England Stance as Lee Carsley is set to leave him out

What's needed for promotion?

Finishing top of their League B group would secure automatic promotion to League A again.

However, if England doesn't finish top there is still a chance to get promoted.

Coming second will enter the Three Lions into a two-game play-off that if they win, will secure them qualification.

However, England put themselves in full control to qualify in top spot after a convincing 3-0 triumph away in Greece.

The Three Lions were stunned 2-1 by the Euro 2004 winners at Wembley last month to end interim boss Lee Carsley's perfect start.

Carsley has now grabbed the last laugh in his penultimate match in interim charge before Thomas Tuchel's arrival.

England can now seal automatic promotion in their final match against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday - the country Carsley represented internationally as a player.

You can follow their Nations League finale with our dedicated talkSPORT.com live blog HERE.

Read More on talkSPORT

Keane has Wright in stitches after future son-in-law Harwood-Bellis scores against Ireland

Mike Tyson 'almost died' before Jake Paul fight as he says 'I lost half my blood'

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Check out all the best free bets and offers from talkSPORT and our partners

Show more

Top News

17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Record Women's Champions League winners Lyon Women will travel to Germany for Tuesday's quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich Women. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea's priority in the summer is said to be the purchase of a new striker, while a new winger is also expected to join the club. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich have reportedly decided bid for Manchester United winger Antony, who is currently on loan at Spanish side Real Betis. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women will travel to the Spanish capital for Tuesday's Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid Femenino at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. 16 March 2025 talksport.com "It's all for these fans. They deserve everything." 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly identified Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk should he leave Anfield. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a match that could have ramifications for both the National League's chase for promotion and relegation battle, Gateshead are set to host Braintree Town at Gateshead International Stadium on Tuesday. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona fought back from two goals behind to record a stunning 4-2 victory over title rivals Atletico Madrid in Sunday night's La Liga contest at Wanda Metropolitano. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Micah Richards could not resist joining in with Newcastle hero Dan Burn's Carabao Cup final celebrations. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that "it's hard to know" the extent of Ayden Heaven's injury at this stage of proceedings, with the centre-back set to be assessed by the club's medical stuff next week. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eddie Howe has told Sports Mole that some of his "iconic" Newcastle United players will go on to establish themselves as club "legends" after steering the Magpies to EFL Cup glory in Sunday's final against Liverpool. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Leicester's defeat to Manchester United sees them set an unwanted Premier League record as their season goes from bad to worse. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho both ended long goalscoring droughts in Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday night. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah suffered an unwanted personal first during the Reds' 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in the final of the 2024-25 EFL Cup at Wembley. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Mohamed Salah endured one of his most difficult afternoons in Liverpool colours during their heartbreaking Carabao Cup final defeat. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has told Sports Mole that he would rather get straight back into action next week as opposed to waiting for the international break to end following his side's gut-wrenching EFL Cup final loss to Newcastle United. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eddie Howe's Newcastle United side wrote themselves into club history at Wembley on Sunday courtesy of a famous 2-1 triumph over Liverpool in the EFL Cup final. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven has suffered a potentially-serious injury during Sunday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. 16 March 2025 talksport.com A bottom-half finish in the Premier League could be rewarded with a European berth. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Bruno Guimaraes was unable to control his emotions after helping Newcastle end their 70-year trophy drought. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle have won their first major domestic trophy since 1955 courtesy of a deserved 2-1 victory over a limp and lifeless Liverpool side at Wembley. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle have ended their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with a stunning Carabao Cup final victory against Liverpool. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly put a €70m (£59m) offer on the table for Barcelona attacker Raphinha. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been passed fit for Sunday's Premier League clash against Leicester City, while Mason Mount is on the bench for the 20-time English champions at the King Power Stadium. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Mikel Arteta has walked out of another post-match interview, but this time he was only joking. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Six clubs are reportedly in the running for Lille forward Jonathan David, with the Canada international set to become a free transfer at the end of June. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Mathys Tel urged Tottenham fans to remain behind the team in a heated conversation with angry fans after yet another defeat. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney hailed Wycombe Wanderers as a 'beautiful organisation' following their rapid response to a fan who was taken ill. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United attacker Antony has suggested that he wants to complete a permanent move to a team in Spain this summer amid suggestions that Real Betis and Real Sociedad could go head-to-head for his signature. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has said that he understands the frustrations of the club's supporters following Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.