Scotland learn Euro 2028 qualification requirements
Ordinarily, host nations are automatically placed into the tournament with no need to qualify, but that happens when there is one or two host nations so the fact there is four complicates matters.
The governing body were yet to confirm how this would work but they have done so today.
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Each of the four teams will take place in the qualifying stages but there will be two places reserved for the best ranked home nations who don't qualify.
Making it to the finals will be the 12 group winners as well as the eight best performing second place teams, plus the two extra home nations. The remaining spots are decided by play-offs between the remaining runners up and best ranked Nations League teams who haven't automatically qualified.
Steve Clarke's side have friendlies next month against Iceland and Liechtenstein before 2026 World Cup qualifying kicks off with a trip to Denmark and a home game against Belarus.
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Reuters
31 minutes ago
- Reuters
Portugal's emotional Ronaldo rejoices in winning Nations League
MUNICH, Germany, June 8 (Reuters) - Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo shed tears of joy as they won their second Nations League title on Sunday, insisting that winning trophies with his country beats all club honours. Ronaldo's 138th international goal in the second half took the final to penalties after a 2-2 draw with Spain, with the substituted 40-year-old forward looking on from the sidelines as Portugal netted all five spot kicks to claim the title. The triumph, which left the five-times Champions League winner in tears, was Ronaldo's third on the international stage, accompanying his 2016 European Championship and 2019 Nations League winners' medals. "What a joy," Ronaldo told Sport TV. "First of all for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children came here, my wife, my brother, my friends. "Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It's tears. It's duty done and a lot of joy. "When you talk about Portugal it is always a special feeling. Being captain of this generation is a source of pride. Winning a title is always the pinnacle in a national team." Ronaldo's future remains uncertain. He said last week he did not plan to play at the Club World Cup in the United States, which starts later this month, despite being courted by clubs taking part in the 32-team tournament. The Al-Nassr forward said he had several offers from other teams to play in the U.S., while his side's sporting director, Fernando Hierro said last month they were negotiating with Ronaldo over a contract extension but faced competition from clubs eager to sign the five-times Ballon d'Or winner. For now, however, he is only focused on celebrating his latest triumph, having played in the final with an injury. "It's beautiful," he added. "It's for our nation. We are a small people, but with a very big ambition. "The future is short term. Now is the time to rest well. I had the injury and that was the maximum, the maximum ... I pushed, because for the national team you have to push."
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Ronaldo makes shock injury revelation after Portugal win Nations League
Cristiano Ronaldo says he came into the Nations League final with an injury, but battled through the pain to score as Portugal went on to beat Spain on penalties. The 40-year-old started the match at the Allianz Arena and scored Portugal's second equaliser on 61 minutes after Spain had twice taken the lead. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar did not quite make it to 90 minutes, going down injured just before the end of normal time, replaced by Goncalo Ramos. He could only watch on during a goalless extra-time before his country won thanks to scoring five penalties in the shootout, while Alvaro Morata missed his spot-kick for Spain. It was not clear exactly what the injury was that Ronaldo was struggling with, but he revealed that he did not suffer it late in the game, but before kick-off. 'I had already felt it during the warm-up, I had been feeling it for some time,' Ronaldo said, via Record. 'But for the national team, if I had to break a leg, I would. 'It's a title, I had to play and I gave my all, I went as far as I could. I helped with a goal.' He added of his second Nations League win with Portugal: 'I'm so happy. Winning for Portugal is very special. I have many titles, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. 'The tears and the sense of duty fulfilled. It's beautiful. It's our nation. We are a small people, but with great ambition. 'I've lived in many countries, I've played for many clubs, but when they talk about Portugal it's a special feeling. Being the captain of this generation, it's a source of pride. 'Winning a title is always the highlight of a national team. The future is about thinking in the short term. I had an injury and that was too much, too much… I pushed, because for the national team you have to push.' The entertaining contest at the Allianz Arena saw three goals before the half-time break. Martin Zubimendi put Spain ahead on 21 minutes before Nuno Mendes quickly equalised just five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal put the Spaniards back ahead just before the interval as he expertly completed a lovely move, but the lead again did not last long as Ronaldo prodded home just after the hour-mark. Portugal looked the more likely side to grab a winner later on and during extra-time, but could not find one before the final whistle. The match went to a penalty shootout where there was a string of brilliantly taken spot-kicks until Alvaro Morata saw his tame effort saved by Diogo Costa. Ruben Neves made no such mistake and found the back of the net to see Portugal claim victory 5-3 on penalties. More Trending It is the second time Portugal have won the Nations League in only the fourth edition of the event. Ronaldo started the 1-0 win over Netherlands as his country won the tournament in 2019 and has got his hands on the trophy again six years later. Spain have reached the final for the third straight edition of the Nations League, losing to France in 2021, beating Croatia in '23 and narrowly losing out this time round. MORE: Portugal vs Spain TV channel and live stream: How to watch Nations League final in the UK tonight MORE: Franck Ribery hits back at Cristiano Ronaldo over Ballon d'Or claim MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo makes 'very difficult' Lionel Messi claim ahead of Club World Cup
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Ronaldo tears & Yamal's nemesis - has Nations League saved Martinez?
Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears as he won a third trophy with Portugal - the Nations what a way to do it, as they beat their neighbours and oldest rivals Spain on may have already been off the pitch, having been replaced in the 88th minute - but he had already played his Portugal captain made it 2-2 in the 61st minute with a close-range finish. That was his 138th international goal, extending his own it was his eighth in nine Nations League games this campaign, only behind Sweden's Viktor bad for a 40-year-old who has spent the past two and a half years in the Saudi Arabian league with marks the first time Spain have failed to lift a trophy since the 2022 World Cup, having won the Nations League in 2023 and Euro times in this tournament - beating France 5-4 in the semi-finals - they looked unstoppable. But Ronaldo and Portugal did just Mendes too, with the Portugal full-back keeping Spain star Lamine Yamal quiet and scoring a goal himself. Ronaldo wins the Yamal battle "When you talk about a clash between Cristiano and someone else, that's not how it works. The media always try to hype things up, which is a normal thing, but it's one team versus another."They were the words of Ronaldo in the build-up to this game, and many discussed the 40-year-old coming up against 17-year-old Spain superstar it was Ronaldo who emerged a winner in more ways than one after netting the 938th goal of his career, hooking in Mendes' deflected cross from close England midfielder Andros Townsend on ITV said: "This is why Cristiano Ronaldo is on the football pitch."He is a predator in the box. He knows where the ball is going to go. Good contact when it comes to him."People have written him off time and time again but he played his part tonight. He more than played his part in the semi-final. He has proven he can still make a difference at the highest level."ITV pundit Karen Carney added: "Ronaldo's eyes lit up. 'Who else? Me.'"When you turn 30 everyone calls you old in football. This guy is 40 and he is constant defying us."He only touched the ball 22 times - but did track back more than once, including to win the ball off Spain winger, who scored twice in the semi-final win over France, did not enjoy one of his best had four shots, mostly from distance, forcing two saves from Diogo Costa."Yamal will learn tonight. He was completely anonymous. He will have to think of ways of doing this," said Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague. Will Martinez keep his job now? This marks the first trophy of Portugal manager Roberto Martinez's international career, after failing to win anything with Belgium's so-called golden 2013 FA Cup with Wigan was his last piece of silverware - so could the Nations League save his job? Balague said: "The rumour [that he will be sacked] has come from the federation of Portugal. A new president who has not chosen Roberto Martinez."We are reading the new president would like Jorge Jesus or Jose Mourinho to soon be the next manager, but how can you get rid of Roberto Martinez?"Martinez took over as Portugal boss in January 2023, after the last World Cup, and is contracted until next summer to cover the 2026 World Cup."He has made Ronaldo a regular goalscorer again," continued Balague. "Ronaldo has a better percentage of goals per game than he has with any other manager."Basically, this just killed whatever plan there was to get rid of him. How can they get rid of him?"While the Nations League is not the biggest tournament in the world, it is one of only three trophies European countries can win, excluding other minor competitions you can only enter by winning another added: "It was more so with the Belgium national team, going from that golden generation and going to this one - what's going to be different?"There is something special about him."The players and Ronaldo have reacted positively to him."He will be judged, after this, at the World Cup. It would be terrible if he is replaced." How Mendes caught the eye Portugal left-back Mendes, midfielders Joao Neves and Vitinha and striker Goncalo Ramos were all celebrating at Allianz Arena for the second time in eight all won the Champions League with Paris St-Germain at the same venue last weekend, and Mendes was named man of the match for his fine job in this technical observer group said: "He was incredible, both in attack and defensively during the tournament. He scored in the final, also providing an assist in the semi-final."The 22-year-old was electric down the left flank, as he shackled Yamal largely - and scored their first equaliser with a fine effort into the bottom had four successful dribbles (three more than any team-mates), more touches in the opposition box than any other Portugal player and won seven duels - as many as anyone else on the also played more passes into the final third (16) and won more tackles (five) than any other Portugal player."You love seeing him burst forward, but ultimately he has a defensive responsibility," said Carney."A few players will be looking - 'how do I get past him?' But he is the complete [defender]. What a joy to have in your team."Balague added: "He's been fantastic - top 10 Ballon d'Or. He has been superb."Lamine Yamal, in Nuno Mendes, has found his nemesis." What BBC readers had to say Gav: Love him or hate him, Ronaldo keeps doing the Ronaldo is just inevitable, isn't he?Harry, Winchester: Mendes is making Yamal look like a London: Death... taxes... Stroud: Ronaldo still running rings around kids half his age. Wouldn't be surprised if he's still going at 50!Joe: At what age is he going to stop. At 40 playing this Scotland: Am I the only one who still believes Ronaldo will be able to play in the World Cup next year.
