International break: Everything you need to know about the Nations League and England's matches against Spain and Croatia

The international break is upon us once again as Gareth Southgate's England play their next fixtures in the UEFA Nations League.
England manager Gareth SouthgateEngland manager Gareth Southgate
England manager Gareth Southgate

Here's everything you need to know about the Nations League and England's matches:

When are England playing?

England manager Gareth SouthgateEngland manager Gareth Southgate
England manager Gareth Southgate

England are in action twice either side of the weekend as they play Croatia on Friday 12 October and Spain on Monday 15 October.

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Both matches are away '“ England will play at Stadion HNK Rijeka in Croatia and Real Betis' Benito Villamarin stadium in Spain.

What is the Nations League?

The Nations League is a tournament for all 55 European nations, played every two years between major tournaments to keep matches during the international break competitive.

Teams have been sorted into four leagues, A-D, depending on their international ranking with the highest rated teams in group A.

Each league is split into four groups of teams that will play each other home and away between September and November 2018.

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The winners of groups in leagues B, C and D will be promoted, while the losers of the groups in leagues A, B and C will be relegated into the league below.

League A group winners will progress to the semi-finals of the competition in June 2019 and then the winner of those matches will play in the final.

Who is in England's group and league?

England are in the top league, League A, and have been drawn in a group with Spain and Croatia.

If the Three Lions can progress from the group, they will face the winners of the other groups in League A which are as follows:

League A

Group 1 '“ Germany, France, Netherlands

Group 2 '“ Belgium, Switzerland, Iceland

Group 3 '“ Portugal, Italy, Poland

Group 4 '“ Spain, England, Croatia

How have England been performing so far?

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After the highs of reaching the semi-final of the World Cup, it's fair to say expectation is high for Gareth Southgate's men.

In their first Nations League match at home to Spain, the Three Lions lost 2-1.

Who is in Gareth Southgate's squad? 

The 25 man squad is as follows:

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Jack Butland (Stoke City), Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Harry Maguire (Leicester City). 

Alex McCarthy (Southampton), Mason Mount (on loan at Derby County from Chelsea), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).

 John Stones (Manchester City), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal), Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur)