World champs France open Nations League

Germany will begin the rebuild of their battered football reputation on Thursday in the opening match of the inaugural Nations League, but their long road to recovery will begin with the toughest of assignments against World Cup champions France.

The Nations League, brainchild of European soccer body UEFA, aims to boost interest in the autumn and spring internationals, which were seen by clubs and fans as disruptive to the domestic football season.

To be held every two years, it features all 55 of Europe's national teams divided into four divisions - Leagues A to D - that are themselves split into four groups, to be played between September and November.

The four winners from League A progress to a mini-tournament to be held in June next year to decide the Nations League champion, while there will be a promotion and relegation between the others in each league.

Initially greeted with scepticism because of its seemingly complex format, it was given a warmer reception by coaches when the draw was made in January, with teams receiving financial bonuses as they progress in the competition.

The Germans, world champions in 2014, crashed out in the group stage of the World Cup in Russia in June for their earliest exit in 80 years.

Coach Joachim Loew decided to stay on and has pledged to successfully overhaul the team and turn it back onto the road to success, with the Nations League being their new start.

But he could not have picked a harder opponent than France, who are brimming with confidence after lifting their second World Cup after their 1998 success.

World Cup semi-finalists England host Spain a day later while Switzerland take on Iceland in the other League A clash on the first match day.

League A:

Group 1: Germany, France, Netherlands

Group 2: Belgium, Switzerland, Iceland

Group 3: Portugal, Italy, Poland

Group 4: Spain, England, Croatia

League B:

Group 1: Slovakia, Ukraine, Czech Republic

Group 2: Russia*, Sweden, Turkey

Group 3: Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland

Group 4: Wales, Republic of Ireland, Denmark

*Russia initially drawn in Group 1 but moved as they cannot share a group with Ukraine

League C:

Group 1: Scotland, Albania, Israel

Group 2: Hungary, Greece, Finland, Estonia

Group 3: Slovenia, Norway*, Bulgaria, Cyprus

Group 4: Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania

*Norway initially drawn in Group 2 but moved due to winter scheduling fears

League D:

Group 1: Georgia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 2: Belarus, Luxembourg, Moldova, San Marino

Group 3: Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Malta, Kosovo

Group 4: Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar.