2024–25 UEFA Nations League C

The 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C is the third division of the 2024–25 edition of the UEFA Nations League, the fourth season of the international football competition involving the men's national teams of the 55 member associations of UEFA.

2024–25 UEFA Nations League C
Tournament details
Dates5 September – 19 November 2024
Teams16
Promoted North Macedonia
 Northern Ireland
 Romania
 Sweden
Relegated Azerbaijan
 Lithuania
Tournament statistics
Matches played48
Goals scored115 (2.4 per match)[note 1]
Attendance491,869 (10,247 per match)
Top scorer(s)Sweden Viktor Gyökeres
(9 goals)
2026–27

Format

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League C consists of 16 UEFA members ranked from 33–48 in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League access list, split into four groups of four. Each team will play six matches within their group, using the home-and-away round-robin format on double matchdays in September, October, and November 2024.[1] The winners of each group will be promoted to the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League B, and the two worst-ranked fourth-placed teams will be relegated to the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League D. In addition, the second-placed teams of each group and the two best-ranked fourth-placed teams, will advance to the promotion/relegation play-offs, played home-and-away over two legs. The League C second-placed teams will participate in promotion play-offs against the third-placed teams from League B in March 2025, while the two best-ranked League C fourth-placed teams will participate in relegation play-offs against the second-placed teams from League D in March 2026. In the play-offs, teams from the higher leagues will host the second leg, with the winners of each tie participating in the higher league for the next Nations League season, while the losers will enter the lower league.[2]

Teams

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Team changes

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The following are the team changes in League C from the 2022–23 season:

Incoming
Relegated from
Nations League B
Promoted from
Nations League D
Outgoing
Promoted to
Nations League B
Relegated to
Nations League D
  Gibraltar

On 2 May 2022, Russia were suspended and automatically relegated from League B due to their country's invasion of Ukraine.[3] Russia were due to participate in League C for the 2024–25 season, but they were instead banned from the Nations League because the suspension was still active at the time of UEFA's entry deadline. Therefore, only one team (Gibraltar) was relegated to League D and two teams (Estonia and Latvia) were promoted from League D, so that the 2024–25 League C season would still have 16 teams.[4]

Seeding

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In the 2024–25 access list, UEFA ranked teams based on the 2022–23 Nations League overall ranking.[5] The seeding pots for the league phase were confirmed on 2 December 2023,[4] and were based on the access list ranking.[2]

Pot 1
Team Rank
  Romania 33
  Sweden 34
  Armenia 35
  Luxembourg 36
Pot 2
Team Rank
  Azerbaijan 37
  Kosovo 38
  Bulgaria 39
  Faroe Islands 40
Pot 3
Team Rank
  North Macedonia 41
  Slovakia 42
  Northern Ireland 43
  Cyprus 44
Pot 4
Team Rank
  Belarus 45
  Lithuania[a] 46
  Estonia 47
  Latvia 48
  1. ^ The identity of the play-out winners was not known at the time of the draw.

The draw for the league phase took place at the Maison de la Mutualité in Paris, France, on 8 February 2024, 18:00 CET.[6][7] Each group contained one team from each pot. For political reasons, Armenia and Azerbaijan (due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict) could not be drawn in the same group.

Groups

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The fixture list was confirmed by UEFA on 9 February 2024, the day following the draw.[8][9][10]

Times are CET/CEST,[note 2] as listed by UEFA (local times, if different, are in parentheses).

Group 1

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation        
1   Sweden (P) 6 5 1 0 19 4 +15 16 Promotion to League B 2–1 3–0 6–0
2   Slovakia 6 4 1 1 10 5 +5 13 Qualification for promotion play-offs 2–2 1–0 2–0
3   Estonia 6 1 1 4 3 9 −6 4 0–3 0–1 3–1
4   Azerbaijan (R) 6 0 1 5 3 17 −14 1 Relegation to League D 1–3 1–3 0–0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Azerbaijan  1–3  Sweden
  • Dadashov   82'
Report
Estonia  0–1  Slovakia
Report
Attendance: 6,128[12]
Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia)

Slovakia  2–0  Azerbaijan
Report
Sweden  3–0  Estonia
Report
Attendance: 14,858[14]

Estonia  3–1  Azerbaijan
Report
Slovakia  2–2  Sweden
Report
Attendance: 15,381[16]

Azerbaijan  1–3  Slovakia
Report
Estonia  0–3  Sweden
Report

Azerbaijan  0–0  Estonia
Report
Sweden  2–1  Slovakia
Report
Attendance: 36,417[20]

Slovakia  1–0  Estonia
Report
Sweden  6–0  Azerbaijan
Report
Attendance: 10,127[22]

Group 2

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation        
1   Romania (P) 6 6 0 0 18 3 +15 18 Promotion to League B 3–0[a] 4–1 3–1
2   Kosovo 6 4 0 2 10 7 +3 12 Qualification for promotion play-offs 0–3 3–0 1–0
3   Cyprus 6 2 0 4 4 15 −11 6 0–3 0–4 2–1
4   Lithuania (R) 6 0 0 6 4 11 −7 0 Relegation to League D 1–2 1–2 0–1
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ The Romania v Kosovo match was suspended at 0–0 during second-half stoppage time, after the Kosovo team left the pitch, with the match abandoned thereafter.[23] The match was subsequently awarded as a 3–0 win for Romania.[24]
Lithuania  0–1  Cyprus
Report
Kosovo  0–3  Romania
Report

Cyprus  0–4  Kosovo
Report
Romania  3–1  Lithuania
Report

Lithuania  1–2  Kosovo
Report
Cyprus  0–3  Romania
Report

Kosovo  3–0  Cyprus
Report
Lithuania  1–2  Romania
Report

Cyprus  2–1  Lithuania
Report
Romania  3–0
Awarded[note 3]
  Kosovo
Report

Kosovo  1–0  Lithuania
Report
Romania  4–1  Cyprus
Report
Attendance: 45,318[37]
Referee: Luca Pairetto (Italy)

Group 3

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation        
1   Northern Ireland (P) 6 3 2 1 11 3 +8 11 Promotion to League B 5–0 2–0 2–0
2   Bulgaria 6 2 3 1 3 6 −3 9 Qualification for promotion play-offs 1–0 1–1 0–0
3   Belarus 6 1 4 1 3 4 −1 7 0–0 0–0 1–1
4   Luxembourg 6 0 3 3 3 7 −4 3 Qualification for relegation play-offs 2–2 0–1 0–1
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(P) Promoted
Belarus  0–0  Bulgaria
Report
Northern Ireland  2–0  Luxembourg
Report
Attendance: 17,213[39]

Luxembourg  0–1  Belarus
Report Gromyko   76'
Bulgaria  1–0  Northern Ireland
Despodov   40' Report

Bulgaria  0–0  Luxembourg
Report
Belarus  0–0  Northern Ireland
Report

Belarus  1–1  Luxembourg
Report
Northern Ireland  5–0  Bulgaria
Report
Attendance: 17,891[44]

Luxembourg  0–1  Bulgaria
Report
Northern Ireland  2–0  Belarus
Report
Attendance: 18,044[46]

Bulgaria  1–1  Belarus
Report
Luxembourg  2–2  Northern Ireland
Report

Group 4

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation        
1   North Macedonia (P) 6 5 1 0 10 1 +9 16 Promotion to League B 2–0 1–0 1–0
2   Armenia 6 2 1 3 8 9 −1 7 Qualification for promotion play-offs 0–2 0–1 4–1
3   Faroe Islands 6 1 3 2 5 6 −1 6 1–1 2–2 1–1
4   Latvia 6 1 1 4 4 11 −7 4 Qualification for relegation play-offs 0–3 1–2 1–0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(P) Promoted
Faroe Islands  1–1  North Macedonia
Report
Armenia  4–1  Latvia
Report

Latvia  1–0  Faroe Islands
Report
Attendance: 5,808[51]
North Macedonia  2–0  Armenia
Report

Latvia  0–3  North Macedonia
Report
Attendance: 5,001[53]
Faroe Islands  2–2  Armenia
Report

Armenia  0–2  North Macedonia
Report
Faroe Islands  1–1  Latvia
Report
Attendance: 2,017[56]

Armenia  0–1  Faroe Islands
Report
North Macedonia  1–0  Latvia
Report

Latvia  1–2  Armenia
Report
Attendance: 5,543[59]
North Macedonia  1–0  Faroe Islands
Report

Ranking of fourth-placed teams

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Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 C4   Latvia 6 1 1 4 4 11 −7 4 Qualification for relegation play-offs
2 C3   Luxembourg 6 0 3 3 3 7 −4 3
3 C1   Azerbaijan (R) 6 0 1 5 3 17 −14 1 Relegation to League D
4 C2   Lithuania (R) 6 0 0 6 4 11 −7 0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Ranking criteria
(R) Relegated

Goalscorers

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There were 115 goals scored in 48 matches, for an average of 2.4 goals per match.[note 1]

9 goals

6 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Overall ranking

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Following the league phase, the 16 League C teams will be ordered 33rd to 48th in an interim overall ranking for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League according to the following rules:[2]

  • The teams finishing first in the groups will be ranked 33rd to 36th according to the results of the league phase.
  • The teams finishing second in the groups will be ranked 37th to 40th according to the results of the league phase.
  • The teams finishing third in the groups will be ranked 41st to 44th according to the results of the league phase.
  • The teams finishing fourth in the groups will be ranked 45th to 48th according to the results of the league phase.
Rnk Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
33 C2   Romania 6 6 0 0 18 3 +15 18
34 C1   Sweden 6 5 1 0 19 4 +15 16
35 C4   North Macedonia 6 5 1 0 10 1 +9 16
36 C3   Northern Ireland 6 3 2 1 11 3 +8 11
37 C1   Slovakia 6 4 1 1 10 5 +5 13
38 C2   Kosovo 6 4 0 2 10 7 +3 12
39 C3   Bulgaria 6 2 3 1 3 6 −3 9
40 C4   Armenia 6 2 1 3 8 9 −1 7
41 C3   Belarus 6 1 4 1 3 4 −1 7
42 C4   Faroe Islands 6 1 3 2 5 6 −1 6
43 C2   Cyprus 6 2 0 4 4 15 −11 6
44 C1   Estonia 6 1 1 4 3 9 −6 4
45 C4   Latvia 6 1 1 4 4 11 −7 4
46 C3   Luxembourg 6 0 3 3 3 7 −4 3
47 C1   Azerbaijan 6 0 1 5 3 17 −14 1
48 C2   Lithuania 6 0 0 6 4 11 −7 0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Ranking criteria

A final overall ranking will also be compiled, though this is only used to rank teams within their new leagues for the following edition of the competition.[2]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b The goal tally takes into account the original result of fixtures that were subsequently forfeited, not the awarded scoreline.
  2. ^ CEST (UTC+2) for matchdays 1–4 (September and October 2024), CET (UTC+1) for matchdays 5–6 (November 2024).
  3. ^ The Romania v Kosovo match was suspended at 0–0 during second-half stoppage time, after Romanian supporters allegedly began chanting pro-Serbian and anti-Kosovo slogans. The Kosovo team left the pitch, with the match abandoned thereafter.[23] On 20 November 2024, UEFA announced that Kosovo was deemed to have forfeited the match, which was therefore awarded as a 3–0 win for Romania.[24] The Football Federation of Kosovo subsequently confirmed they would appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.[34]
  4. ^ a b c d e f Due to the Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Belarus are required to play their home matches at neutral venues, and behind closed doors, until further notice.[38]

References

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  1. ^ "2024/25 UEFA Nations League: All you need to know". UEFA.com. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Regulations of the UEFA Nations League, 2024/25" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 December 2023. Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  3. ^ "UEFA decisions for upcoming competitions relating to the ongoing suspension of Russian national teams and clubs". UEFA. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b "UEFA Nations League – League phase draw procedure" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Overall rankings of the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  6. ^ "2024/25 UEFA Nations League: League phase draw". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  7. ^ "2024/25 UEFA Nations League: League phase draw". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  8. ^ "2024/25 Nations League: All the league phase fixtures". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  9. ^ "UEFA Nations League 2024/25 – Fixture List: League Phase (by league)" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
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  11. ^ "Azerbaijan vs. Sweden" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Estonia vs. Slovakia" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Full Time Report League phase – Slovakia v Azerbaijan" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Full Time Report League phase – Sweden v Estonia" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Full Time Report League phase – Estonia v Azerbaijan" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
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  23. ^ a b "Romania v Kosovo Nations League game abandoned after alleged Serbia chants". BBC Sport. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  24. ^ a b "UEFA Appeals Body decision announced". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Full Time Report League phase – Lithuania v Cyprus" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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  29. ^ "Full Time Report League phase – Lithuania v Kosovo" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  30. ^ "Cyprus vs Romania: UEFA Nations League". BBC Sport. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Full Time Report League phase – Kosovo v Cyprus" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
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  33. ^ "Full Time Report League phase – Lithuania v Romania" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Vendimi i UEFA-s konfirmon veprimet e arsyeshme të Kombëtares së Kosovës kundër sjelljeve raciste dhe mesazheve provokuese politike!" [UEFA's decision confirms the reasonable actions of the Kosovo national team against racist behavior and provocative political messages!] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  35. ^ "Echipa națională mulțumește suporterilor prezenți la meciul cu Kosovo" [The national team thanks the supporters present at the match with Kosovo]. Romanian Football Federation (in Romanian). 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
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  38. ^ "Belarus teams to play on neutral ground in UEFA competitions". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  39. ^ "Northern Ireland vs. Luxembourg" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
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  45. ^ "Full Time Report League phase – Luxembourg v Bulgaria" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
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