Nations League: where England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland stand before November

The long international break ended on Tuesday 6 October with each of the four home nations having played four of their six UEFA Nations League group games. England are second in Group A3 and close to the quarter-finals, Northern Ireland lead Group B2 without having conceded a goal, Scotland are third in Group B1 after losing at home to Slovenia, and Wales have three points in Group A4. The last two rounds are played between 12 and 17 November.

What is at stake in each league?

In League A, the top two in each group reach the quarter-finals in March 2027. The two lowest-ranked third-placed sides and the two best fourth-placed sides go into play-offs against League B runners-up, and the two worst fourth-placed teams drop to League B. In League B, group winners are promoted, runners-up enter the League A/B play-offs and fourth-placed teams go into play-offs against League C, as set out in Al Jazeera's guide to the 2026-27 format.

How are England placed in Group A3?

England won three of their four games: they lost 3-2 at home to Spain, then won 2-0 in Prague, 7-0 in Rijeka against Croatia and 3-0 against Czechia at Wembley, where Harry Kane scored twice on his 125th cap. Spain have a perfect 12 points. Sky Sports reported that one point from the last two matches would take England through.

Can Northern Ireland win promotion?

Northern Ireland are top of Group B2 on eight points after two wins and two goalless draws, with four goals scored and none conceded. They won 1-0 in Georgia and 3-0 in Ukraine, and drew 0-0 at home with Hungary and Georgia. Hungary are one point behind on seven, Ukraine have four and Georgia two. Finishing first would mean promotion to League A. Northern Ireland host Ukraine at Windsor Park on Saturday 14 November and finish away to Hungary on Tuesday 17 November.

What do Scotland and Wales need?

Scotland have four points from four games after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Slovenia at Hampden. Switzerland lead Group B1 with 12 points and Slovenia are second on seven, three ahead of Scotland. Scotland play North Macedonia, who have no points, at Hampden on Friday 13 November and visit Switzerland on Monday 16 November.

Wales lost 1-0 to Portugal and 2-0 in Denmark in September, beat Norway 2-1 in Cardiff on 1 October and then lost 1-0 at home to Denmark on 4 October. They are level with Norway on three points, behind Portugal (12) and Denmark (6).

Wales travel to Oslo on Saturday 14 November for a direct meeting with Norway that will go a long way to deciding third place, and close the group against Portugal at the Cardiff City Stadium three days later.