Scotland face a triple header of fixtures as they bring their 2022/23 Nations League group stage campaign to a close.
The coming week is a tough ask for Steve Clarke' s men who battle it out with Ukraine both home and away, along with a Hampden tie against Ireland falling in between. The Nations League provides our national side with a potential pathway to the 2024 European Championship playoffs, and the Scots are no doubt eyeing up the mighty prize.
As has been witnessed throughout the last two decades, qualifying for major tournaments is not quite the normal for Scotland. But with the joy of making it to Euro 2020 fresh in the mind of the players and fans alike, many will be hoping it is two in a row. With the heartbreak of missing out on this year's World Cup we are due a little luck, aren't we? But what do Scotland need to do to secure their spot in the competition? Here is everything you need to know.
How can Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 through the Nations League?
- By topping the table?
Interestingly, if Scotland manage to finish top of their Nations League group, they would be second seeds for the European Championships in two years’ time. This means that Steve Clarke's side would therefore be in with a greater chance of finishing in the top two of their qualifying section of the actual tournament.
Fifty-three countries will battle it out for the 23 places in the finals. Russia will not be in the hat after UEFA confirmed on Tuesday that they will be banned from the competition following their invasion of Ukraine in February this year. The 10 group winners and runners up will qualify, plus a further three team via play-off competition, due to be played in March 2024.
It means what the national side face is a kind of domino effect. But it is tough ask with a double header against Ukraine and a game against Ireland in between standing in Scotland's way. They are just one point behind first as things stand, but it would likely mean we need four points out of six from the home and away Ukraine ties, with Armenia doing us a favour to take all three points from Ukraine when they meet next week. The Euro 2024 qualifying draw takes place in Germany next month.
- Play off?
The 12 highest-placed team in the competition who do not reach Euro 2024 through the competition's qualifying campaign will be awarded a place in the playoffs.
The playoff rounds consist of three sets of one-legged semi finals before a final to fill the remaining sports at the Euros. There are only three in total up for grabs. These three spots will only be allocated to Leagues A, B and C. League D will not have a play-off path as hosts Germany (who are in this league) will qualify for the tournament automatically.
Scotland are already familiar with this play-off qualification route, having successfully secured their place in Euro 2020 the same way on the back of a decent run in the 2018/19 Nations League.
Scotland's League as things stand
| Country | Played | W |
D |
L |
GD |
Pts |
| Ukraine | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Scotland | 3 | 2 |
0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ireland | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Armenia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 3 |
Scotland's upcoming Nations League fixtures
- Scotland vs Ukraine (September 21, KO 7.45pm)
- Scotland vs Ireland (September 24, KO 7.45pm)
- Ukraine vs Scotland (September 27, KO 7.45pm)
What are the other fixtures in Scotland's group?
Scotland have enough to worry about with the three tough fixtures that stand between then an Euro 2024 qualification. But they can't take both eyes off what the other sides do in their closing fixtures.
Scotland's group, League B Group 1, is tight as things stand. And with just four points between top and bottom it is all still to play for. Here are what the other fixtures in the group look like...
- Armenia vs Ukraine (September 24, KO 7.45pm)
- Ireland vs Armenia (September 27, KO 7.45pm)
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