The Netherlands will meet France and Germany in the new Uefa tournament, the Nations League, following a draw which pits Oranje against the current world champions and the runner up in the last European championships.

The Nations League is a new biannual tournament with four tickets for the next European championships, in addition to the 20 which are distributed in the traditional qualification competition. The Nations League will largely replace the international friendlies currently played on the Fifa calendar.

The four winning teams in league A progress to the Nations League finals, while the bottom four in each group are relegated to league B. The same promotion and relegation mechanism applies across the other three leagues.

Dutch football association director Eric Gudde said the Dutch draw has thrown up some interesting matches, for players, staff and supporters.

‘This is a better format than friendlies,’ he said. ‘It is a major challenge.’

The last time the Netherlands and Germany met was in a friendly in Amsterdam in 2012, which resulted in a 0-0 draw.

📸 | De Nederlandse delegatie (teammanager Fernando Arrabal, directeur betaald voetbal Eric Gudde en secretaris-generaal Gijs de Jong) in afwachting van de loting voor Oranje. #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/A5uIqO8mLO

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) January 24, 2018