The UEFA Nations League, which begins tomorrow, was devised to minimise meaningless friendlies.
It gives nations competitive encounters against equally ranked teams. European associations compete in a league structure featuring promotion and relegation.
The 2026/27 edition is the fifth. It begins on Thursday, September 24 and concludes with the final on Sunday, June 13, 2027. Portugal are the defending champions. They won the 2025 finals.
The format
UEFA’s 54 member associations are split into four leagues: A, B, C and D. The split is based on results from the 2024/25 edition.
Leagues A, B and C each have four groups of four teams, as that accounts for 48 countries. The remaining six nations are split into two groups of three in League D.
In Leagues A, B and C, each team plays six matches. They face home and away fixtures against each group opponent. League D teams play four games.
🔍 Explore More
- NRTC English Knowledge Base – Learn, improve, and sharpen your English skills.
- Top Stories From Around the World – Stay informed with the latest global news and insights.
- Specially Curated Listicles – Discover interesting lists, guides, and deep dives selected for our readers.
- Stay Updated: Join our mailing list and never miss the latest articles and updates from NRTC.
The Groups
League A
Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Türkiye
Group A2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece
Group A3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia
Group A4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales
League B
Group B1: Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, North Macedonia
Group B2: Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, Northern Ireland
Group B3: Israel, Austria, Republic of Ireland, Kosovo
Group B4: Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden
League C
Group C1: Albania, Finland, Belarus, San Marino
Group C2: Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, Latvia
Group C3: Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Group C4: Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Luxembourg
League D
Group D1: Gibraltar, Malta, Andorra
Group D2: Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
ALSO READ:
- UEFA Nations League: Netherland win; Wales relegated
- Speed Darlington threatens to fight Burna Boy whenever they meet
- Ronaldo scores 700th goal to secure win for Manchester United
The new promotion and relegation rules
UEFA has approved changes for this edition. The system is transitioning toward a three-league model from 2028/29.
The four group winners in League B are promoted to League A. The four group winners in League C move up to League B. The two lowest-ranked fourth-placed teams in League A are relegated to League B.
Play-offs will decide the fate of other teams. The two lowest-ranked third-placed teams in League A and the two highest-ranked fourth-placed teams in League A face the four runners-up from League B. The four League B/C play-offs feature the four fourth-placed teams from League B against the four runners-up from League C.
Because League D will be abolished for 2028/29, all six League D teams will be promoted to League C regardless of their results.
The Nations League is linked to qualification for UEFA Euro 2028 in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Based on their Nations League results, some teams will earn a second chance to enter the play-offs for the final tournament.
5 things to watch
Zidane’s France Debut
Zinedine Zidane takes charge of France for the first time. Kylian Mbappé captains the side, and their opening fixture is against Türkiye.
England vs Spain
England host Spain at Wembley. It is a repeat of the Euro 2024 final. Thomas Tuchel’s side will be eager to measure themselves against the world champions.
Xavi’s Netherlands
Xavi Hernández begins his tenure as Netherlands head coach. His first match is against Germany in Amsterdam.
Portugal’s Title Defence
Portugal won the 2025 finals. Cristiano Ronaldo’s side begin their defence at home to Wales. Ronaldo is 41 and still scoring.
New Managers Everywhere
Jürgen Klopp takes charge of Germany for the first time. Xavi leads the Netherlands. Zidane commands France. The tactical battles on the touchline will be as compelling as the action on the pitch.
The league phase runs from September 24 to November 17, 2026. Teams play four matches in the extended September–October window. The final two matchdays take place in November.
The quarter-finals are scheduled for March 2027. The finals will be held in June 2027 in a single host country, to be confirmed.
The Nations League returns with a new format, new managers and high stakes. The road to Euro 2028 starts now.
📢 Stay Updated — Join Our WhatsApp Channel
💬 Be Part of Our WhatsApp Community
Join our WhatsApp Channel for curated updates, breaking stories, and exclusive insights from our newsroom.
📲 Join 👉 NRTC WhatsApp Channel
