5 things to know about the UEFA Nations League

#2 Who goes where?

The Dutch could be the first major team to miss the flight to Russia

As things stand, the inaugural edition of UEFA Nations League 2018 could line up this way-

LEAGUE A (teams to be split into four groups of three)

Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, France, England, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Iceland, Wales.

LEAGUE B (teams to be split into four groups of three)

Russia, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Sweden, Netherlands, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Hungary.

LEAGUE C (teams to be split into one group of three, and three groups of four)

Slovenia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Scotland, Czech Republic, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Israel, Norway, Cyprus, Finland, Estonia, Azerbaijan.

LEAGUE D (teams to be split into four groups of four)

Lithuania, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, FYR Macedonia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Latvia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Malta, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar.

The top division promises a series of blockbuster clashes with several World Cup knockout stage regulars expected to be grouped together. These are probable lineups and this week's international break provides the last chance for teams to make a move in the UEFA rankings with the draw slated to be in January 2018.

One of the biggest omission from the top division, the current World cup semi-finalists, Netherlands have their task cut out. The Dutch have two difficult matches against Belarus and Sweden to navigate. A slip up against either two could cost them their ticket to both the World Cup and the first division of the Nations League.