Going Up
Scotland's promotion back to League A, and how the upcoming EURO 2025 qualifiers are organised.
As “no Scotland no party” rung round the stand at Firhill, we completed our unbeaten streak in League B to triumphantly return to League A, despite an injury list that’d have decent odds of winning the Champions League. 3,068 there on the night (the largest non-Partick Thistle attendance at Firhill since 2013), playoffs on the horizon. It is a good day to be Scottish.
Nations League Success
We are back in League A! Touch wood the 2025/26 Nations League is a more positive experience… especially with 2027 World Cup qualifying in mind.
With our unbeaten, table topping, performance in the qualifying stage1 we have been promoted back to League A for the 2025/26 edition of the Nations League. As with our previous foray into the top division of European international football, it will provide some very tough tests. It will also provide some more winnable ones that we should be taking advantage of. Staying up this time around will give us the chance at automatic World Cup qualification, or at least an easier playoff path should it come to that.
While our League B qualifying campaign was fairly straightforward, as expected, we have continued to struggle with scoring goals and some of the play has been far slower and not as tidy than standards we aspire for. To give the benefit of the doubt Scotland have played better than many in some difficult circumstances2, and some complacency is natural.
When the draw is made for our group we could face the likes of the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, England (boo), Germany, or Sweden who have remained in League A following the qualifying campaign. Coming up with us are Portugal, Wales, and Switzerland.
At this level there really aren’t any ‘easy’ groups but there are certainly easier groups. Ireland ended up with Sweden, England, and France who are all in the top six of the FIFA rankings, and we all remember our group last time round where Belgium (18th) were the “easy” side. However, there was also a group of Germany, Iceland, Austria, and Poland that Scotland would probably have some confidence in (although Iceland and Austria are ranked higher than Belgium).
With games not scheduled until the February 2025 international break we aren’t likely to find out are opponents soon, but worth keeping an eye on those we could face.
EURO Qualifiers on the Horizon
First Round
Between the 23rd and 29th of October we will play our games in the first round playoff. A two-legged tie in which we will be seeded and can face any of the following nations (world ranking as of 14th of June 2024 in brackets, Scotland are ranked 23rd): Türkiye (61), Croatia (56), Hungary (43), Bosnia and Herzegovina (62), Slovakia (50), Azerbaijan (75). As the seeded side we will play the second leg at home.
We faced Slovakia in our group most recently, winning 2-0 at home and 1-0 away, while Hungary were one of our opponents for 2023 World Cup qualifying. Again, securing wins home and away. Since records began in 1972 we have never played Türkiye or Azerbaijan whether it be a competitive fixture or otherwise.
It is fair to say that on paper this round should be a winnable affair, we would be extremely disappointed to go out at the first hurdle.
While this is going on third and fourth placed sides in League A will be facing League C’s group winners and three best second placers, the seeded side coming from League A. Sweden, Austria, Norway, and Poland are real stand outs on this side. As well as our neighbours, the Republic of Ireland.
Round Two
Here is where things are going to get complicated, so strap in, get your notebook out, and make sure your pencil is sharpened.
The seven teams that will be seeded come from the final position of teams by combining the group results into a larger table. Instead of seeding the seven highest ranked sides by this method, it’ll be ranked by the highest ranking involved in the round one tie.
What this means is the winner of the round one ties that include Sweden, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Czechia, and Ireland will be seeded. If there’s an upset, the League C team will take the ranking of the League A side they have beaten (so, we want upsets).
The games will be drawn after the conclusion of the first round, Scotland will be unseeded so will play the first game at home. Games are scheduled to be played between the 22nd of November and 3rd December.
So, we’ll likely be playing one of the seven teams listed above (but, keep an eye on their first round ties). Some giants in there that we’d be clear underdogs against, a potential rematch with Ireland after they cost us a place at the World Cup, and some ties that look more than winnable.
Which is listed as part of the Nations League but then UEFA call the other bit the Nations League so really someone needs to get a hold of what bit is what and give them different names.
July international break, we will never be friends.