Nations League promotion? World Cup play-off place? - What's at stake for England against Greece and Republic of Ireland

England will wrap up their UEFA Nations League group stage by facing Greece and Republic of Ireland. Interim boss Lee Carsley will be in charge for the games and there's plenty at stake for England, including possible promotion to the top league of the Nations League. What do England need to gain promotion? And how could they also secure a World Cup play-off spot?

England conclude their UEFA Nations League group campaign over the next week with matches against Greece and Republic of Ireland.

They will be the last two matches in charge for interim manager Lee Carsley before Thomas Tuchel takes the reins.

There’s plenty at stake too, with England looking for promotion to League A of the Nations League and also potentially seeking some World Cup qualification insurance.

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England aim for promotion

Top of the bill for England is gaining promotion back to the top league of the Nations League.

With two matches to go they are second in Group B2 on nine points, three points behind leaders Greece, who also have a plus-three superior goal difference.

Only top spot in the group guarantees promotion to League A.

England must win in Greece on Thursday to have a chance of winning the group heading into their final match.

If England draw against Greece they could not finish top as the tie-breaker if they end level on points would be the points won in the games between the two sides and Greece won at Wembley.

Group B2 table

Team	Points	Goal difference
Greece	12	8
England	9	5
Republic of Ireland	3	-5
Finland	0	-8

If England do beat Greece, the two sides would be level on 12 points ahead of the final round of fixtures.

England host Republic of Ireland on Sunday while Greece travel to Finland, who are bottom of the group with no points.

If England finish second in the group, they go into a promotion play-off against one of the third-placed League A sides.

Currently that would be Poland, Belgium, Hungary or Serbia.

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The two-legged play-offs take place on March 20 and 23.

In the unlikely scenario that England lose their last two Nations League games and Republic of Ireland win both their games and there is a big goal difference swing (the difference is currently 10) then England could finish third in the group, which would mean a relegation play-off against a second-placed team from a League C group.

England can’t finish bottom of the group and be relegated automatically.

World Cup play-off place

Tuchel will be in charge when England start their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup next year.

As the No. 4 team in the FIFA world rankings, England will be expected to qualify automatically for the World Cup - but if they don’t they could have a back-up route via the Nations League.

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The four best Nations League group winners who do not finish in the top two in their World Cup qualifying group will get a play-off place.

If England are involved in a promotion or relegation play-off in the Nations League they will not start World Cup qualifying until June or possibly September.

When is the World Cup qualifying draw?

The draw for World Cup 2026 qualifying is on December 13.

There will be 12 groups with either four or five teams in each.

The winners of the 12 groups will qualify for the World Cup, and the 12 group runners-up will join the four best Nations League group winners in play-offs, with four teams progressing to the World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup starts on June 11, 2026 and will be held in USA, Canada and Mexico.

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