England the only Home Nation in the European elite for Uefa’s new Nations League competition aimed at replacing pointless friendlies


ENGLAND are the only Home Nation in the European elite for Uefa’s new competition.

The Nations League, which starts in September, is aimed at cutting out ‘meaningless’ friendlies — but will also produce four Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Harry Kane fired England to their latest win over Lithuania in the final World Cup qualifier
Harry Kane fired England to their latest win over Lithuania in the final World Cup qualifier
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England are sixth in the Uefa rankings so play one of the top four seeds — Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain — plus one from Poland, Iceland, Croatia and Holland in a mini-league. The draw is on January 24 2018.

Only the 12 League A nations have a chance of lifting the inaugural  trophy in June 2019.

Wales’ defeat by Ireland on Monday dropped them out of contention and into tier two.

Each country plays home and away between September and November with four top sides going into a knockout semi-final and final in June.

The bottom teams are relegated and will be replaced by winners from the leagues below in autumn 2020.

The four league winners are also guaranteed a slot at the Euros.

Gareth Southgate warned Jack Wilshere he ought to be playing regularly to return for England
Gareth Southgate has a tough summer ahead in the Russia 2018 World Cup
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England captain Harry Kane scored his 15th goal of the season against Lithuania
England captain Harry Kane scored his 15th goal of the season against Lithuania
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The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.

Take a look at the most profitable transfers of ALL time.

And here are the Premier League players whose wages made them the most expensive per minute played.


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