Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

People will say it is only the Nations League, but this is a chance for Lee Carsley to put a stamp on [the team] and a chance for him to become the permanent England manager. So these games are absolutely crucial as far as Lee Carsley is concerned.

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So, as explained, there is an incentive for every country to do well in the Nations League as a kind of insurance policy, should their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup go wrong. A 'get out jail free card', if you will.

There is also the small matter of national pride, as well as a chance to move up the levels of the Nations League to ensure lucrative fixtures against more high-profile teams.

But, as BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Ian Dennis explains in the latest episode of the Football Daily podcast, there is something else at stake for England's interim boss Lee Carsley...

Each team in Leagues A, B and C play two group games in September - beginning later today - two in October and two in November 2024 (yes, that's three international breaks in the first three months of the new season).

A lot of teams will play extra games in March 2025, with four teams in the Nations League finals in June 2025.

Scotland won Group B1 last time to seal their promotion to League A for the first time, while England dropped a division after finishing bottom of Group A3.

Wales were also in the top tier last time but finished bottom of Group A4 with one point from six games.

Northern Ireland remain in League C.

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So we know the games coming up, but how does the Nations League work?

The competition is split into four levels, from A down to B, C and D, with four groups in A, B and C and two groups in D.

Scotland are in Group A1, so the top level, while England (B2) and Wales (B4) are in the second tier and Northern Ireland (C3) the third.

The top two teams from each group in League A go into two-legged quarter-finals in March, with the winners going into the final-four tournament in June. The winner of that will claim the Uefa Nations League trophy.

The winners of each group in Leagues B, C and D are promoted to a higher division. The teams who finish bottom of each group in Leagues A and B are relegated to a lower division.

Teams who finished third in their groups in League A will face League B runners-ups - and League B's third-placed teams will face League C runners-up - in two-legged promotion/relegation play-offs in March.

There will also be play-offs between the two best fourth-placed teams in League C and the two runners-up in League D.

Europe's 2026 World Cup qualifiers start next year. The winners of each of those groups qualify automatically for the North American tournament, with the runners-up of each group entering World Cup play-offs.

The four best Nations League group winners who do not qualify via either of those ways will also go into the World Cup play-offs.

Clear?

Thursday, 5 September

Scotland v Poland (19:45)

Northern Ireland v Luxembourg (19:45)

Friday, 6 September

Wales v Turkey (19:45)

Saturday, 7 September

Republic of Ireland v England (17:00)

Sunday, 8 September

Bulgaria v Northern Ireland (17:00)

Portugal v Scotland (19:45)

Monday, 9 September

Montenegro v Wales (19:45)

Tuesday, 10 September

England v Finland (19:45)

England

A final word from England goalkeeper Nick Pope life after Gareth Southgate and the atmosphere he is expecting in Dublin on Saturday: "It's all change all round. It’s something that will be different for the week, I’m delighted for myself to be back in the squad. I'm looking forward to what it brings.

"I’ll expect it to be pretty hostile [in Dublin] if I’m honest. I’ll expect it to be a sell-out. They are the sort of games you want to play in. If you aren't playing, you're watching on TV and you really want to be there. I’m looking forward to it and think it will be a top game."

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England

Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has been speaking about the international retirement of Magpies team-mate Kieran Trippier: "He's a massive one - on and off the pitch. He has more than 50 caps and provided one unbelievable goal and great moments for England fans.

"Us players will remember that for a very long time. He has left a big hole to fill as he is a top player and professional who has represented England for a long time. He can hold his head high and be very proud of what he achieved."

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Leicester City

Leicester City have been fined £20,000 by the Football Association after admitting a charge of "failing to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way".

The charge relates to the way that the Foxes players surrounded match official David Coote "in the 93rd minute" of their 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday (31 August).

Their players reacted angrily after being denied a penalty deep into added time when Jamie Vardy went down under Ezri Konsa’s challenge, but the veteran striker was flagged offside from Bilal El Khannouss’s through-ball.

Leicester had until today to provide a response and the FA said the club had "accepted the standard penalty".

England

More from Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope on returning to the England squad for the first time since the 2022 Qatar World Cup: "I was trying to work out when it was. It feels like it has been a long time to come back into the squad. Good to come back and have some familiar faces mixed with new faces as well. Delighted to earn the right to be back."

On being a senior player, aged just 32: "I think I just feel a little bit old if I’m really honest. It's nice to have been here before and have the experience. Tino [Livramento] has come with me from the club so to help him in any way I can is nice. I’m looking forward to using that experience whether it is driving training or speaking to lads or whatever it may be to use my experience for the squad."

Image source, Getty Images

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

I've got to say, it did feel a little strange seeing so many new faces because not only have we lost Gareth Southgate as the England manager, but also his entire backroom staff.

Instead, we have Ashley Cole and Joleon Lescott, who were with Lee [Carsley] in his England Under-21s set-up, as well as Tim Dittmer, who was looking after the goalkeepers as the FA's head of coaching. There are also new analysts, so a completely different feel for me.

• Click here to listen to the latest episode of Football Daily on BBC Sounds.

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That sense of a new era for England struck BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Ian Dennis when he visited St George's Park on Wednesday.

Ian spoke about his experience of watching the England training session in the latest edition of the Football Daily podcast and compared that to those he witnessed during Gareth Southgate's eight years leading the Three Lions.

England

England and Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope on setbacks and a new era with the Three Lions after missing out on selection for Euro 2024 because of a shoulder injury: "For myself, I have come a long way back from injury. A lot of distance to cover coming into the new year.

"First and foremost I am pleased to be back in the first squad that's come around this season.

"I am looking forward to impressing a new group of staff. That's what it's like at club or international level, when a new group of staff comes in everyone wants to have good first impressions."

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we heard from England's new recruits under interim manager Lee Carsley - the likes of Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Tino Livramento - who all gave glowing reports of the new man in charge.

So what about those who've been in the camp before? Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope has been an England international for six years now and has been talking about the new era.

Welcome, if you're just joining us. The international break has us in its grips, and we'll be looking forward to some Nations League action later.

We've been discussing the Ballon d'Or nominees and reacting to the Women's Champions League.

The Nations League starts later. Scotland and Northern Ireland are both in action before Wales and England on Friday and Saturday respectively.

Coming up, we'll bring you some new quotes from Nick Pope on the new era under Lee Carsley and look at what Scotland and Northern Ireland can expect later.

Matt, Liverpool fan, West Kensington

Well, Matt, Rodri's leading the thumbs up so far.

It's not just the players who get the glory either. A whole host of other awards, including the best coach of the year. An elite list here...

Men's Coach of the Year nominees

• Xabi Alonso (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)
• Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid)
• Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain national team)
• Gian Piero Gasperini (Italy, Atalanta)
• Pep Guardiola (Spain, Manchester City)
• Lionel Scaloni (Argentina, Argentina national team)

Women's Coach of the Year nominees

• Sonia Bompastor (France, Olympique Lyon/Chelsea)
• Arthur Elias (Brazil, Corinthians/Brazil national team)
• Jonatan Giráldez (Spain, Barcelona/Washington Spirit)
• Emma Hayes (England, Chelsea/USA national team)
• Filipa Patão (Portugal, Benfica)
• Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands, England national team)

Brazil and Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr is one of the favourites to be nominated for a Ballon d'Or this season.

The 24-year-old added a La Liga title, Spanish Super Cup, Uefa Super Cup and a Champions League trophy to his silverware collection.

He scored 24 goals on 39 appearances and was named the Champions League Player of the Season.

Vinicius missed out on Brazil's Copa America quarter-final match against Uruguay after a booking.

Are the odds correct? Should Vinicius Jr be the Ballon d'Or winner?If you think so, give this post a thumbs up

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Kevin

Ray

Phil Foden is one of four Manchester City players to be nominated for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

The Man City academy graduate added a sixth Premier League victory to his list last season.

He was also named the PFA Players' player of the year, Premier League player of the season and Manchester City Player of the year.

The 24-year-old was also part of England's Euros 2024 squad.

That's some love for Rodri. What about Foden? If you think Foden should lift the Ballon d'Or, give this post a thumbs up

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