Tweet
A "League of Nations" that will see countries qualify for the World Cup and European Championship is expected to be given the go-ahead by Uefa on Thursday.
Games would be played in odd-numbered years on dates reserved for friendlies, starting after the 2018 World Cup.
European football's governing body's executive committee has already backed the competition, which would replace major tournament qualifying play-offs.
England are expected to be in a 14-team top tier of four divisions.
An exact format has yet to be confirmed but Spain, Germany, Italy and Netherlands are also likely to be in the top division, which would feature semi-finals and a final at neutral venues.
In the lower divisions, there would be a final to decide promotion, as well as qualifying places for the World Cup and European Championship.
The league will not replace major tournament qualifiers, but would decide the qualification spots - usually four - currently won via play-offs.
While matches will be played on dates reserved for friendlies, there will still be flexibility for smaller countries to arrange high-profile fixtures with bigger European teams and for nations to play friendlies against national sides from outside Europe.
The Football Association is in favour of the plan, with chairman Greg Dyke saying earlier this month: "The hard thing is the detail but I think a Nations League where we played the top nations would be very attractive."
Games would be played in odd-numbered years on dates reserved for friendlies, starting after the 2018 World Cup.
European football's governing body's executive committee has already backed the competition, which would replace major tournament qualifying play-offs.
England are expected to be in a 14-team top tier of four divisions.
An exact format has yet to be confirmed but Spain, Germany, Italy and Netherlands are also likely to be in the top division, which would feature semi-finals and a final at neutral venues.
In the lower divisions, there would be a final to decide promotion, as well as qualifying places for the World Cup and European Championship.
The league will not replace major tournament qualifiers, but would decide the qualification spots - usually four - currently won via play-offs.
While matches will be played on dates reserved for friendlies, there will still be flexibility for smaller countries to arrange high-profile fixtures with bigger European teams and for nations to play friendlies against national sides from outside Europe.
The Football Association is in favour of the plan, with chairman Greg Dyke saying earlier this month: "The hard thing is the detail but I think a Nations League where we played the top nations would be very attractive."
Comment