Who will succeed the Blues of Didier Deschamps for this third edition of the League of Nations? The annual competition, which tries to make a name for itself between the Euro and the World Cup, resumes its rights from Wednesday June 1 with a match between Poland and Wales.
The Tricolores will start on Friday against the Danes before challenging Croatia three days later. This clash between the two finalists of the 2018 World Cup will be followed closely, a few months before the World Cup in Qatar. Here is everything you need to know about the 2022-2023 edition.
France, Belgium, Spain, England… The favorites in rehearsal before Qatar
Predictors should tick the same nations as in a few months when establishing their list of favorites for the League of Nations.
Winners last October, the Blues are logically candidates for their own succession. With Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema, just crowned for the fifth time in the Champions League and closer than ever to the Ballon d’Or, Didier Deschamps knows he has an unrivaled offensive strike force.
However, it remains to succeed in maintaining what led the French team to success, namely its collective sense. The latest arrivals in the group (Jonathan Clauss, William Saliba, Boubacar Kamara, Moussa Diaby, Christopher Nkunku) have an opportunity to shine in order to win their ticket to Qatar at the end of the year.
4️⃣ matches on the program for our 24 Blues, including 2️⃣ at home at the Stade de France
03/06: France-Denmark
10,000 tickets available
https://t.co/koSqybKSzl13/06: France-Croatia
20,000 tickets available
https://t.co/TGfvAGB608#ProudToBeBlues pic.twitter.com/0mh5tmRd02— French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) May 19, 2022
Unhappy finalist last year against the Habs, Spain is also one of the scarecrows of this competition. Luis Enrique’s players certainly remember the painful scenario experienced in Turin on October 10, 2021, with a goal 10 minutes from the end of the game of the one who has just preferred PSG to Real Madrid.
The memories are perhaps even stronger for the Belgian selection. Beaten 3-2 at the end of a crazy match in the semi-finals against France, the Red Devils missed out on a first success in an international competition. They had finished fourth in the 2020-2021 edition after their defeat in the small final against the Italian European champions, other favorites despite their absence in Qatar. Thibaut Courtois’ teammates will want to get on track before the World Cup.
Finally, it’s hard not to mention England among the nations to watch. Gareth Southgate’s men missed out on a first European title last summer, and intend to dust off the trophy cabinet, which has been empty since the World Cup victory in 1966.
Les Bleus at Croatian revealer, clashes in stock between Germany, Italy and England
The draw for the group stage of the League of Nations, carried out in mid-December in Nyon (Switzerland), reserved good posters and relatively spared the Blues. The latter will challenge Denmark, Croatia and Austria in Pool 1.
#NationsLeague Sacred shocks in sight https://t.co/ZKkDrWAXYp
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024FRA) December 16, 2021
At the same time, other major nations will face greater adversity. Group 3, with Italy, England and Germany, promises intense clashes. Two duels between neighbors (Spain against Portugal in group 2, Belgium against the Netherlands in group 4) will also be closely scrutinized.
An unchanged format
The format of this competition, in lack of popularityrest the same as in the previous edition. The 55 nations recognized by UEFA are divided into four leagues by level (A, B, C and D), themselves containing several pools.
The promotion-relegation system will still be in effect, as will the “Final Four” between the four group winners in League A. This will be held in June 2023. Finally, this League of Nations can also constitute a mode of qualification for the next Euro. “Details on how teams could secure play-off spots through” of the League of Nations will be specified within a few days, underlines UEFA on its site.
The matches to follow during the Nations League 2022-2023
Days 1 and 2: June 2-7, 2022
Spain-Portugal (pool A2, June 2)
France-Denmark (Pool A1, June 3)
Belgium-Netherlands (pool A4, June 3)
Italy-Germany (Pool A3, June 4)
Portugal-Switzerland (pool A2, June 5)
Croatia-France (pool A1, June 6)
Germany-England (Pool A3, June 7)
Days 3 and 4: June 9-14, 2022
Switzerland-Spain (pool A2, June 9)
Austria-France (pool A1, June 10)
Denmark-Croatia (pool A1, June 10)
England-Italy (Pool A3, June 11)
Switzerland-Portugal (pool A2, June 12)
France-Croatia (pool A1, June 13)
Germany-Italy (pool A3, June 14)
Days 5 and 6: September 22-27, 2022
Croatia-Denmark (pool A1, September 22)
France-Austria (Pool A1, September 22)
Italy-England (pool A3, September 23)
Spain-Switzerland (pool A2, September 24)
Denmark-France (pool A1, September 25)
Netherlands-Belgium (pool A4, September 25)
England-Germany (Pool A3, September 26)
Portugal-Spain (pool A2, September 27)
Draw for the final phase: to confirm
Semi-finals: June 14 and 15, 2023
Final and match for third place: June 18, 2023
Dams: March 21-23 and 24-26, 2024