Italy will compete in a new Nations League after UEFA approved the format for the competition today.
The new tournament will replace most international friendlies, and will be played between September and November 2018.
The 52 UEFA members will be split into four divisions, each containing four groups of either three or four teams. Each UEFA member will play six matches. Four teams are promoted and four relegated from Divisions B, C and D.
Italy will compete in a new Nations League after UEFA approved the format for the competition today.
The new tournament will replace most international friendlies, and will be played between September and November 2018.
The 52 UEFA members will be split into four divisions, each containing four groups of either three or four teams. Each UEFA member will play six matches. Four teams are promoted and four relegated from Divisions B, C and D.
Division A will be made up of the strongest teams, with the winners of the four divisions advancing to play semi-finals and a final to decide who will be crowned Nations League winners.
The four semi-finalists will also be granted automatic qualification for Euro 2020.
The four remaining UEFA EURO 2020 places will be allocated to the winners of play-off matches which will take place in March 2020. Based on results in the UEFA Nations League, 16 teams will take part in the play-offs and are grouped four by four.
If winner(s) are already qualified through the European Qualifiers, the next best ranked team(s) within the league qualify for the play-offs.
“With UEFA having been requested by the member associations to investigate the future of national team football within the framework of the approved international match calendar, the key driver of the UEFA Nations League is sporting integrity,” European football’s governing body explained in a statement on its official website.
“Member associations, coaches, players and supporters increasingly feel that friendly internationals are not providing adequate sporting competition.
“In addition, the competition will help UEFA realise its stated goal of improving the quality and standing of national team football while maintaining the balance between club and international football.
“The competition will establish the UEFA Nations League champions every odd year while also allowing all nations to play competitively at their level.”