Spain and defending champions Portugal became the first teams to book their place in the last eight, during the September and October international break. By the end of this window, the rest of the line-up for March's quarter-finals will be completed, ahead of next summer's final tournament.

All seven Blues called up by European teams this week have the chance to be there, going into the final two fixtures of the group stage. Here is what they all need to ensure they have a chance to lift the trophy in June.

League A1

The first group is packed full of Chelsea interest with Malo Gusto, Marco Palestra, Mike Penders and Romeo Lavia all in contention to feature for their countries, representing more than half of the Blues’ seven players called up for Nations League duty in October.

Lavia will be suspended when Belgium attempt to repeat last month’s 3-0 win over pointless Turkiye, but will be available to rejoin Penders and Co for what could be a crucial final fixture at home against Italy.

Palestra’s Italy sit second, three points behind leaders France and Gusto, one ahead of Belgium. The French's advantage means that even if they lose that first game – and Italy are the only side to deny Les Bleus victory so far – a point against bottom-placed Turkiye would still guarantee them a quarter-final spot, leaving Belgium and Italy to fight it out for the second qualification place.

Turkiye vs Belgium, Thursday 12 November, 5pm
Italy vs France, Thursday 12 November, 7.45pm
France vs Turkiye, Sunday 15 November, 7.45pm
Belgium vs Italy, Sunday 15 November, 7.45pm

League A2

Jorrel Hato is not joining the Netherlands squad this month after missing Chelsea’s last three games, although Xabi Alonso is hopeful he will be back at the end of this international break. By then, Hato's international team-mates could have booked their place in the Nations League quarter-finals, going into these games sat at the top of a very tight group.

Netherlands vs Greece, Friday 13 November, 7.45pm
Serbia vs Germany, Friday 13 November, 7.45pm
Germany vs Netherlands, Tuesday 17 November, 7.45pm
Greece vs Serbia, Tuesday 17 November, 7.45pm

League A3

All English eyes will be on veteran captain and this year’s Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane, who is the current Nations League top scorer and will become his country’s all-time appearance maker in his next game. For Chelsea, though, the focus is on fellow attacker Morgan Rogers, Kane’s younger by almost exactly nine years.

Spain are already into the quarter-finals and England are on the verge of joining them in second. A point in the Three Lions’ first game against Croatia would seal the deal, avoiding the need to become the first side to take a point off the Spanish.

However, with an advantage over third-placed Croatia of six points and a goal difference 21 better, it would take something incredible to deny England a spot in the last eight, regardless.

England vs Croatia, Thursday 12 November, 7.45pm
Czechia vs Spain, Thursday 12 November, 7.45pm
Croatia vs Czechia, Sunday 15 November, 7.45pm
Spain vs England, Sunday 15 November, 7.45pm

League A4

Portugal have already booked their place in the quarter-finals with four wins from as many games so far, and need just a point to guarantee they finish top of their group.

That leaves them with little to play for in their games against Denmark and Wales, although they start a new era under coach Jorge Jesus after long-time captain and national hero Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football.

Chelsea duo Pedro Neto and Geovany Quenda will both be looking to stake their claim for a place in that new-look attack after being called up for these concluding fixtures to the Nations League group.

Norway vs Wales, Saturday 14 November, 5pm
Portugal vs Denmark, Saturday 14 November, 7.45pm
Denmark vs Norway, Tuesday 17 November, 7.45pm
Wales vs Portugal, Tuesday 17 November, 7.45pm