Why Are England Not in the Nations League and When Do They Play Next?

England's absence from the latest UEFA Nations League cycle has left many fans wondering why the Three Lions aren’t in action alongside other European teams. In this article, we explain the reason behind their absence and detail their next matches.

Why Is England Not in the Nations League?

England was relegated from League A of the UEFA Nations League in the 2022/23 campaign. This happened after they finished at the bottom of their group, which featured Hungary, Germany, and Italy. Their disappointing performance saw them relegated to League B, meaning they are not competing at the highest level of the tournament in the current edition.

England’s 2022/23 Nations League Results

Below are England’s key results that led to their relegation:

• England 0-4 Hungary (Loss)
• Italy 1-0 England (Loss)
• England 3-3 Germany (Draw)

This poor run of form meant that England could not remain in the elite group of teams competing for the title.

When Will England Play Next?

England's next games are scheduled as part of their preparations for upcoming international competitions, including Euro 2024 qualification. Their next fixtures are:

• England vs. Malta – June 16, 2023
• England vs. North Macedonia – June 19, 2023

Both matches are part of England’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, and they are crucial in ensuring the Three Lions make it to the tournament in Germany.

Will England Return to the Nations League?

Since England was relegated to League B, they will have to earn promotion back to League A by performing well in the next cycle of the competition. Strong performances in their upcoming Nations League matches will be essential to ensuring a return to the top tier. Their new placement means that future Nations League matches will be against teams in League B rather than the elite European nations, which could impact their competitive level ahead of international tournaments.

Final Thoughts

England’s relegation from the Nations League may have been disappointing, but they now have an opportunity to rebuild and regain momentum in their Euro 2024 qualifiers. The upcoming matches against Malta and North Macedonia will be crucial in determining how well Gareth Southgate’s squad is prepared for the next major tournament. Stay tuned for more updates on England's international fixtures and performance.