SNS GroupScotland will meet European champions England in the group stage of the first Women’s Nations League after the draw was completed in Nyon on Tuesday.
The nations will play each other for the first time since the 2019 World Cup, when England were 2-1 winners. Nikita Parris and Ellen White scored for the Lionesses before Claire Emslie found the net for Scotland.
The pair are joined in League A1 by Netherlands and Belgium.
The new competition follows the template set by UEFA with the men’s Nations League and has 51 competing nations, split into two leagues of 16 and one of 19 teams.
The winners of the four League A groups will progress to a finals competition, which will also determine which countries qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games.
There will be also be promotion and relegation between the leagues. The top two sides in each group remain in League A for the Euro 2025 qualifiers.
The four third-placed teams have to play off against against the second-placed teams in each group of League B. The winner of each match plays in League A for the Euro qualifier while the defeated teams play in League B.
The fourth-placed teams are relegated to League B.
Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa said: “This is an exciting draw which has given us some tough opponents but these are the teams we want to play and compete against.
“It’s obviously one of the more complicated groups with some top teams, but we will be prepared.
“The squad is ready to continue growing and giving the best version of ourselves in every match.
“We look forward to building on the momentum we’ve created recently as we prepare for the start of the tournament.
“The group are very motivated ahead of these games and the format of the competition means we can look forward to playing these great matches in front of our dedicated home support later this year.
“Every Scotland supporter is aware of the oldest rivalry in world football and it’s great that we have the opportunity to play against England, home and away.
“It’s particularly fitting in the year that the Scottish FA celebrates our 150th anniversary that we will face our biggest rivals on the pitch once more – it’ll be a great occasion that I am sure will capture the imagination of every Scotland supporter.”
Fixtures have not yet been announced but matches are scheduled to be played in September, October and November, with the finals, and the play-off matches, taking place in February of next year.
Meanwhile, the Scotland under-19s head coach Pauline Hammill has announced that she is to step down from her role.
Hammill said: “After many years playing for our national team and coaching every team from under-15s to under-19s, I have decided to leave my post as Women’s Under-19s head coach to explore other opportunities.
“I would like to thank the Scottish FA for providing me with a platform to develop from being a player to a coach.
“I have been very fortunate over the years to have contributed to the growth of our game and been surrounded by so many people who care passionately about the development of women’s football in our country.
“Thank you and good luck to the players and staff I have worked with, who gave everything over many years.”
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