A string of withdrawals has hurt England’s chances of promotion, while France, Italy, and Portugal are the top sides trying to guarantee a spot in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals.

Six positions remain to be filled heading into the next two rounds of group matches over the course of the following week, with European champions Spain and Germany qualifying for the round of eight. France is in a strong position ahead of Israel’s visit on Thursday, which will be played under a heavy police presence. Unbeaten Italy and Portugal just need one point to progress. The Paris match comes one week after tensions erupted in Amsterdam over a game between Dutch team Ajax and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Coach Didier Deschamps has insisted that Kylian Mbappe’s absence from the France team “is for the best,” as the Real Madrid sensation is once again absent. Italy travels to Belgium first, knowing that a quarterfinal spot for Luciano Spalletti’s team is certain if they win. Portugal travels to Croatia in Group A1 after hosting Poland.

To remain in the running for promotion back to the top division, England has to defeat Greece in Athens. Greece triumphed 2-1 at Wembley last month and is the only team in League B with a perfect record. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be available for Lee Carsley’s last two games as interim England manager before he turns the reins over to Thomas Tuchel.