England and Republic of Ireland Set to Renew Rivalry in Nations League

England and the Republic of Ireland are set to face each other competitively for the first time since 1991 in the upcoming Nations League. Gareth Southgate’s squad, along with the Republic, will also contend with Euro 2004 champions Greece and Finland in Group B2. They’ve sidestepped a lengthy journey to Kazakhstan due to UEFA’s travel restrictions, as the former Soviet republic finds itself in Group B3 instead.

The most recent competitive clash between England and the Republic dates back to a Euro 92 qualifier at Wembley, where Niall Quinn’s goal equalized Lee Dixon’s opener. A friendly encounter in 1995 at Lansdowne Road was abandoned due to crowd disturbances, with the teams last meeting in a November 2020 friendly, won 3-0 by England.

Meanwhile, Wales will compete against Iceland, Montenegro, and Turkey in Group B4, while Scotland, led by Steve Clarke, will confront Croatia, Portugal, and Poland in Group A1. Northern Ireland, managed by Michael O’Neill, finds itself in Group C3, facing off against Luxembourg, Bulgaria, and Belarus.

The league phase is scheduled between September and October, followed by League A quarter-finals and promotion/relegation playoffs in March 2025. Single-leg semi-finals and a final are slated for June 2025.

Gareth Southgate expressed England’s goal of earning promotion back to League A, highlighting the challenging opponents they’ll face. He emphasized the disappointment of dropping to League B and stressed the importance of winning the group to secure promotion.

Reflecting on past Nations League campaigns, Southgate acknowledged the mixed results, citing the tournament as an opportunity to assess new players alongside the aim of winning matches. He noted the challenges faced, particularly during the buildup to a World Cup.

Despite the focus on the upcoming Nations League, Southgate reiterated that England’s primary focus remains on the European Championship in Germany. He emphasized the team’s confidence and preparation for the tournament, highlighting the importance of delivering results when it matters most.