NYON, Switzerland (AP) — World champion Spain was drawn to play against Norway, Ireland and Switzerland in the Women's Nations League soccer tournament, with the group winner set to earn a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
European champion England was grouped with France, Portugal and Austria in Tuesday's draw. If England tops the group, it would advance to the Olympics as a Britain team that can also use players from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
In other top-tier groups, Germany faces the Netherlands, Scotland and Sweden, while Denmark and Italy were drawn with Iceland and Wales.
European soccer body UEFA gives its four quota places in the expanded 16-team LA Olympics tournament to the winners of the top-tier groups. The match schedules are expected to be confirmed next week.
Nations League group-stage games are played between February and June. Group winners also advance to the semifinals next October, and a two-leg final is scheduled in November and December next year.
UEFA also made the draw for four-team groups in the second-tier League B, with Serbia and Albania pooled with Belgium and Romania.
A further 22 teams were drawn into six groups in the third-tier League C. Russia was excluded during its ban from UEFA competitions following the invasion of Ukraine.
___
