UEFA Nations League Play-off Draw: Path to League Promotion Set
The UEFA Nations League play-off draw to determine the final composition of leagues for the next edition has been conducted at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. This crucial stage sets the stage for intense competition as teams battle for promotion and to avoid relegation within the league structure.
In the League A/B play-offs, Turkey was among the nations awaiting their fate. Drawn from the second pot, Turkey has been paired against Hungary in a compelling matchup. The Turkish national team will host the first leg on March 20, 2025, with the return leg scheduled to take place in Hungary on March 23, 2025. This home-and-away tie will be decisive, with the victor securing a coveted place in League A for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League season.
Representing the Turkish Football Federation at the draw were key figures including Vice President Ceyhun Kazancı, National Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella, National Teams Administrative Director Mert Tuncay, and National Teams Communications Manager Türker Tozar.
Hungary, Turkey’s opponent, finished 3rd in Group 3 of League A, a group that also included Germany, Netherlands, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their Nations League campaign saw them secure 6 points from 1 victory, 3 draws, and 2 defeats. Across their 6 group matches, Hungary scored 4 goals and conceded 11.
UEFA Nations League Play-off Fixtures
The full draw for the League A/B play-offs is as follows, promising exciting clashes across Europe:
- Turkey vs Hungary
- Ukraine vs Belgium
- Austria vs Serbia
- Greece vs Scotland
The battles for promotion and to avoid relegation extend beyond League A/B. The League B/C play-off ties are equally significant:
- Kosovo vs Iceland
- Bulgaria vs Republic of Ireland
- Armenia vs Georgia
- Slovakia vs Slovenia
Furthermore, the League C/D play-offs will determine movement between those leagues:
- Gibraltar vs Latvia
- Malta vs Luxembourg
Nations League Quarter-Final and Semi-Final Path
Beyond the play-offs determining league structure, the UEFA Nations League also features quarter-finals and semi-finals amongst the top League A teams. The quarter-final pairings are set to be high-stakes encounters:
- Netherlands vs Spain
- Croatia vs France
- Denmark vs Portugal
- Italy vs Germany
The victors from these quarter-final matches will progress to the semi-finals, with the following potential pairings emerging:
- Winner of Italy vs Germany vs Winner of Denmark vs Portugal
- Winner of Croatia vs France vs Winner of Netherlands vs Spain
Match Dates for the Play-offs and Finals
Football fans can mark their calendars for these key dates. The League A/B and League B/C play-off matches, along with the League A quarter-finals, are scheduled for March 20 and 23, 2025. These two-legged ties will be crucial in deciding which teams ascend to higher leagues in the subsequent UEFA Nations League tournament starting in the autumn of 2026. The League A semi-finals are slated for June 4-5, with the 3rd place play-off and the final taking place on June 8.
The League C/D play-offs are scheduled slightly later, on March 26 and 31, 2026. This adjustment accommodates the match schedules for the anticipated number of teams participating in the World Cup Qualifiers starting in March 2025.
Historical Encounters: Turkey vs Hungary
The upcoming play-off tie between Turkey and Hungary carries historical weight. The two nations have a notable history of footballing encounters, having played 8 official matches to date. The head-to-head record in official matches is remarkably balanced, with both Turkey and Hungary securing 3 victories each, and 2 matches ending in draws. A memorable Euro 1996 qualifying match in Budapest ended 2-2, while Turkey won the return leg in Istanbul 2-0. In Euro 2008 qualifying, Turkey triumphed 1-0 away and 3-0 at home against Hungary.
Across all 15 matches played between the senior national teams of both countries (8 official and 7 friendly), Hungary holds a 9-4 win advantage. In these 15 games, Hungary has scored 29 goals to Turkey’s 15.
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22.03.2024 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | Friendly Match |
| 18.11.2020 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | UEFA Nations League |
| 03.09.2020 | TURKEY | HUNGARY | UEFA Nations League |
| 26.03.2013 | TURKEY | HUNGARY | World Cup 2014 Qualifier |
| 16.10.2012 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | World Cup 2014 Qualifier |
| 12.09.2007 | TURKEY | HUNGARY | Euro 2008 Qualifier |
| 07.10.2006 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | Euro 2008 Qualifier |
| 06.09.1995 | TURKEY | HUNGARY | Euro 1996 Qualifier |
| 07.09.1994 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | Euro 1996 Qualifier |
| 05.09.1990 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | Friendly Match |
| 16.03.1988 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | Friendly Match |
| 04.04.1984 | TURKEY | HUNGARY | Friendly Match |
| 22.09.1982 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | Friendly Match |
| 29.04.1962 | HUNGARY | TURKEY | Friendly Match |
| 19.02.1956 | TURKEY | HUNGARY | Friendly Match |
| 22.04.1932 | TURKEY | HUNGARY | Friendly Match |
| 17.04.1932 | TURKEY | HUNGARY | Friendly Match |