UEFA Nations League: What is it? How will it work? Is it a good idea? 

The International break is constantly maligned by football fans, as another round of seemingly pointless, non-competitive qualifiers come around which gets in the way of the more engrossing club fixtures.

UEFA are trying to change that perception with the birth of the Nations League, which is officially a tournament, and therefore competitive, to try and give a more accurate representation of the strength of the European nations.

It is even described by UEFA as "the rejuvenation of national team football" and its aim is to "improve the quality and standing of national team football", according to the governing body.

"UEFA and its associations wanted more sporting meaning in national team football, with associations, coaches, players and supporters increasingly of the opinion that friendly matches are not providing adequate competition for national teams", it continues.

The Nations League was confirmed in March 2014 as the 54 member associations unanimously adopted the idea.

"We accept and respect that all UEFA member associations have agreed to create a new competition," Wolfgang Niersbach, chairman of the National Teams Competition Committee, said at the announcement. "This is a big step for national teams in Europe and we hope that fans will support the new format."

So, how will it work?

Every two years, all 55 teams are split into four leagues - A, B, C and D with each group having three or four teams in it.

The winners of the B, C, and D groups are promoted to the league above while the four winners of the groups in league A go through to the semi-finals, while the bottom teams in leagues A, B and C are relegated to the lower division.

It should mean that the teams in league A, the likes of France, Spain, Germany and yes, for now, England, will have regular competitive matches against each other. While on the other end of the spectrum, San Marino, Andorra and Moldova can get fair matches where they have an actual change of winning, never mind having the hope of scoring.

While the addition of more competitive international matches is no doubt needed and welcomed, it is hard to imagine the Nations League becoming anything more than glamourised friendlies, especially considering the Nations League will still come in weeks during the European club season, as opposed to summer months.

UEFA Euro 2016 Final Draw Ceremony

Moving forward

The inaugural Nations League will take place in September, October and November of this year. However, the Nations League will become vital for the lesser countries hoping to make Euro 2020 and beyond.

Qualifying for the Euros will fundamentally remain the same - the top two from each qualifying group will progress to the final tournament but the Nations League will determine the seedings from those qualifiers and the play-offs will be no more.

Instead, the Nations League will determine the last four places for those that were not able to make it through the traditional method. While it was universally-acclaimed by the governing bodies, it may take the supporters a little longer to embrace.