Italy have been drawn into a group with Sweden, Spain and Switzerland in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, which will kick off in September. The draw in Nyon saw the Azzurre placed into Group 4 of League A, which includes the sides with the continent’s highest-ranked sides.

“It’ll be a great competition,” said head coach Milena Bertolini. “When you’re one of the top sides in Europe, it’s only natural that you take on such strong opposition. The four groups in our league are very balanced. The positive is that we’re one of the best 16 teams in the continent and we have the chance to compete to reach the Final Four.”

The group stage will determine which four sides reach the finals (which will serve as European qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games). There will be promotion and relegation between the two leagues, League A will serve as qualifying for the 2025 Euros.

 “This is a big step forward for the women’s game, which coincides with the growth seen throughout the world,” Bertolini added. “This format will increase the spectacle, meaning that fans can watch teams of a similar level competing.”

League A rules
The top two teams in each group in League A will qualify for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. The four third-placed teams will go into a playoff with the runners-up from every group in League B. The winners of each playoff will play in League A for the European qualifiers, while the losing sides will be relegated to League B.

League A Groups
Group A1: England, Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland
Group A2: France, Norway, Austria, Portugal
Group A3: Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Wales
Group A4: Sweden, Spain, ITALY, Switzerland

Group stage
Matchdays 1–2: 20–26 September 2023
Matchdays 3–4: 25-31 October 2023
Matchdays 5–6: 29 November - 5 December 2023

Finals
Between 21 and 28 February 2024

Promotion/relegation playoffs
Between 21 and 28 February 2024