Promotion, relegation and play-off positions are to be decided tonight across Europe as all 53 countries in Leagues A to C take to the pitch for the final time in the UWNL league phase.
In this article, we’ll be looking at how promotion and relegation works in the UWNL and a closer look at each league as they prepare for Matchday 6.
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How does promotion and relegation work in the UWNL?
Final standings are incredibly important within the ‘League Phase’ as they will decide the teams’ starting positions in the 2027 World Cup Qualifier campaign which begins next year. Simply put, the better the final fishing position, the higher the chances of qualification later on.
After Matchday 6, the four winners from the League A groups automatically go through to the finals for a chance to win the UWNL trophy (Spain won the inaugural prize last year).
Relegation and promotion:
Relegation is automatic for the bottom four teams in Leagues A and B (into Leagues B and C) while the top four teams in Leagues B and top six teams in League C are automatically promoted.
Play-offs:
The four third-placed teams in League A will play against the second-placed teams in each group of League B (over two legs) with the winner earning a place in League A.
Also in League B, the two best third-placed teams will also play against the two best-ranked second-placed teams of League C for a place in League B in the qualifiers.
League A (4 groups):
Promotion spots:
After Matchday 5, France, Germany, Spain and Sweden are all at the top of their groups, however, France is the only team assured a spot in the finals with an impressive 4 wins out of 4.
Relegation spots:
Scotland and Wales are the only two teams who can’t escape relegation to League B with a result on Matchday 6 while it’s still mathematically possible for Belgium and Switzerland to survive if they win.
Play-off spots:
For the team that does finish in third place (currently Austria, Iceland, Portugal and Italy) they will then enter a two-legged play-off with the second-placed teams in League B (currently Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Czechia and Finland) to hopefully retain their League A status.
Final fixtures:
– Spain vs England
– Portugal vs Belgium
– Sweden vs Denmark
– Wales vs Italy
– Iceland vs France
– Switzerland vs Norway
– Netherlands vs Scotland
– Austria vs Germany
League B (4 groups):
Promotion spots:
Similar to League A, Poland, Slovenia, Serbia and Ukraine are all currently in prime position but only Poland is already guaranteed a place in League A in the qualifiers. Finland, Czechia and the Republic of Ireland all have a chance to go top if they secure a big win on the final day.
If not, the second-placed teams, as mentioned above, will play-off against the third-placed League A teams for another chance at promotion.
Relegation spots:
Only one country has been automatically relegated ahead of the final day which is Croatia (from Group B4) all other teams currently in the bottom spot (Romania, Greece and Belarus) are all still able to survive if they get a result on Matchday 6.
Play-off spots:
However, the two best third-placed teams across League B (currently Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania) will then enter a play-off with the two best second-place finishing teams in League C (currently Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan) to retain their League B status.
Final fixtures:
– Finland vs Serbia
– Republic of Ireland vs Slovenia
– Poland vs Romania
– Croatia vs Ukraine
– Hungary vs Belarus
– Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Northern Ireland
– Greece vs Türkiye
– Albania vs Czechia
League C (6 groups):
Promotion spots:
The winning teams of all six groups in League C will be automatically promoted. At the moment, Slovakia, Malta and Israel have all won promotion to League B, while Luxembourg, Latvia and either Montenegro/Azerbaijan (tied top spot in C4) all need to win to secure promotion.
Relegation spots:
There is no relegation from League C as it is the lowest league currently in the competition. If teams don’t win automatic promotion or win their play-off, they simply remain in League C.
Play-offs:
The two best second-placed teams will face the two best third-placed teams in League B for another chance at promotion.
Final fixtures:
– Bulgaria vs Estonia
– Latvia vs Kosovo
– Faroe Islands vs Slovakia
– Lithuania vs Montenegro
– Andorra vs Malta
– Gibraltar vs Moldova
– Liechtenstein vs Armenia
– Georgia vs Cyprus
– Kazakhstan vs Luxembourg
Matchday 6 kicks off from 6pm (BST) on Tuesday 3rd June 2025 the draws for the play-offs and finals will be made on 6th June with the matches to be played in October 2025.
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