Good stats SHQ - in odd-numbered years mid-Nov always have the play-off games for the World Cup/Euros the following summer. Its my birthday today so I'm used to following Ireland's progress as we're usually in playoffs (in odd years). Prior to the play-off system, mid-Nov was always the last round of group fixtures and do or die games - most memorably on a personal level 25 years ago tonight when the Rep of Ireland scored a late equaliser away to Northern Ireland to qualify for USA '94 while poor SGT had his last game in charge of England against San Marino.
Nah it's crap and just another excuse for FIFA or UEFA to try and seem more important than club football when most people just want the proper stuff to start again.
The qualification groups are separate to the Nations League. The top two in each group in the actual qualifiers will qualify. That's twenty qualifiers because there will be ten groups. After that, the best four teams in each Nations League division, excluding those that have already qualified, will playoff with one team per division qualifying. Total 24 qualifiers. So by finishing top of their Nations League group England have guaranteed a minimum playoff place for the Euros. Should they finish in the top two in their actual qualifying group, they won't have to bother with a qualifying playoff.In addition, and this is for the top group only, the best four teams compete in semis and a final to decide the overall Nations League Winner. So England are in that. This has no impact on a team's qualification for the Euros.What could be simpler?
The Nations League is great, and just keeps getting better. MON and Keane sacked. 😂