How it stands as Women's Nations League returns

2d ago | Source: BBC

Northern Ireland's Simone Magill (left), England's Jess Park (centre) and Scotland's Emma Lawton have all scored at least one goal in the Women's Nations League this year

The Women's Nations League is back this week with England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all having two more matches.

There were mixed fortunes in February's opening two rounds of fixtures as England gained a win and a draw, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland both secured one victory and one loss, while Scotland and Wales are yet to pick up a win.

The next round of games takes place on Friday, 4 April, with the nations also in action four days later on 8 April.

BBC Sport takes a look at the competition so far, what is up for grabs in the tournament and how England and Wales' preparations are going for this summer's Euros in Switzerland.

What is the Women's Nations League?

The league was launched in 2023, with the first edition offering qualification spots for the 2025 Women's European Championship.

Countries have been placed into groups of three or four teams, across three different leagues, with promotion and relegation between the leagues depending on the match results.

And there's a lot at stake.

Teams are not only competing for the Nations League title, but their finishing position will also determine where they start in the league system for the European qualifiers for the 2027 Women's World Cup.

What has happened so far? Next fixtures?

Scotland, England and Wales are all in the top league - League A.

It has been a tough start for Scotland in Group A1, as they have suffered two narrow defeats - 1-0 in Austria and then 2-1 at home to the Netherlands, who are on four points and level with leaders Germany.

Scotland have two tough matches coming up against a German side ranked number three in the world, starting at home at Dundee United's Tannadice Park on 4 April, before an away game in Wolfsburg on 8 April.

France have made a strong start in Group A2, with two home wins, beating Norway 1-0 and Iceland 3-2.

Next matches in Group A1 and A2

Group A1: 4 April - Scotland v Germany, Netherlands v Austria; 8 April - Germany v Scotland, Austria v Netherlands.

England began their Group A3 campaign with an underwhelming 1-1 draw in Portugal, but looked closer to their best in their next match as Jess Park scored the only goal in a superb 1-0 win at Wembley over reigning world champions Spain.

The Lionesses, who will attempt to defend their European title in Switzerland this summer, will play bottom-placed Belgium twice in April, at Bristol City's Ashton Gate on 4 April before the away game four days later.

Wales, who are preparing to compete in their first major women's tournament this summer, lost 1-0 in Italy in their first Group A4 match.

But they responded with an an impressive 1-1 draw at home against Sweden, who are ranked sixth in the world, courtesy of Kayleigh Barton's penalty equaliser to earn their first point.

The Welsh entertain Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium on 4 April, before playing Sweden in Gothenburg on 8 April.

Next matches in Group A3 and A4

Group A3: 4 April - Portugal v Spain, England v Belgium; 8 April - Spain v Portugal, Belgium v Italy.

In Group B1, Northern Ireland started off with a 2-0 loss in Poland and were heading for another defeat before two late goals from Simone Magill gave them a dramatic 3-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Tanya Oxtoby's side now have two matches against Romania, who have lost both their opening two games. The away game takes place on 4 April, before Romania come to Windsor Park on 8 April.

Carla Ward's reign as the Republic of Ireland manager got off to a winning start in Group B2 with a 1-0 home win over Turkey, but they suffered a 4-0 thrashing in Slovenia in their following game. Greece away comes next with the reverse tie in Dublin four days later.

Next matches in Group B1 and B2

Group B1: 4 April - Poland v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania v Northern Ireland; 8 April - Northern Ireland v Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina v Poland.

Group B2: 4 April - Greece v Republic of Ireland, Slovenia v Turkey; 8 April - Turkey v Slovenia, Republic of Ireland v Greece.

How does the league work?

Teams were placed in each league based on their rankings at the end of the 2024 women's European qualifying league stage.

The four League A group winners will meet in the semi-finals, followed by a third-place play-off and a final which crowns the Nations League winner. These will be played over two legs.

The teams who finish fourth in each League A group will be relegated to League B, and the League B group winners will be promoted.

Each group winner of League C will be promoted to League B, with the teams finishing at the bottom of League B, as well as two of the lowest ranked third-placed teams, dropping to League C.

Spain won the inaugural Women's Nations League title in 2024, claiming their second major trophy in six months.

How can teams qualify for Women's World Cup?

The group standings at the end of the Nations League determine which teams are placed in each league for the European qualifiers for the 2027 Women's World Cup.

There will be another draw in November 2025 to decide the groups within the three leagues.

The teams who finish in the top two in each League A group stay in the top league for the World Cup qualifiers.

The top four teams in League B will be promoted.

The third-placed teams from League A will have to play the second-placed teams from League B to decide which four teams claim the final League A spots.

At the end of the World Cup qualifiers, the four League A winners will qualify directly for the Women's World Cup. Other teams will be entered into the play-offs to claim the remaining spots.