The draw for the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League has set the stage for a packed and competitive international season when the league phase gets underway from 24 September to 17 November 2026. The fifth edition of the biennial tournament features all 54 European national teams, divided across four leagues (A–D), with promotion, relegation and a path to the finals on offer.
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Heavyweight groups and blockbuster ties
The top tier, League A, is stacked with elite sides and some high-profile rematches:
• Group A1 sees France, Italy, Belgium and Turkey battle for quarter-final spots, offering a mix of European heavyweights and rising challengers.
• Group A2 pairs Germany with the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece, a group where consistent results could be enough to secure progression.
• Group A3 features a marquee encounter between Spain and England alongside Croatia and Czechia, rekindling rivalries from major tournaments.
• Group A4 pits reigning champions Portugal against Denmark, Norway and Wales, promising tightly contested fixtures across the board.
Promotion battles and regional rivalries
In League B, the 16 mid-ranked nations are also drawn into four balanced groups:
• Group B1: Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia.
• Group B2: Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia and Northern Ireland.
• Group B3: Israel, Austria, Ireland and Kosovo.
• Group B4: Poland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Romania and Sweden.
These groups will be crucial in the fight for promotion to League A for the 2028–29 season. Teams finishing second and third also have a route into promotion/relegation play-offs, making every match significant.
Competitive middle tier
League C comprises another 16 nations pursuing elevation into League B:
• Group C1: Albania, Finland, Belarus and San Marino.
• Group C2: Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus and the winner of the Latvia/Gibraltar play-off.
• Group C3: Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands and Moldova.
• Group C4: Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia and either Luxembourg or Malta.
This tier will test emerging footballing nations’ consistency across six fixtures, with group winners earning direct promotion.
Competitive newcomers
At the base, League D features the six lowest-ranked sides in two compact groups:
• Group D1: a trio formed by the losers of the Latvia vs. Gibraltar and Malta vs. Luxembourg play-offs alongside Andorra.
• Group D2: Lithuania, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein.
These nations will compete for promotion to League C, while avoiding the relegation play-offs that determine future placements.
Path to finals and broader impact
Under the tournament’s structure, each side in Leagues A, B and C plays a home-and-away round-robin within their group. League A’s group winners and runners-up advance to quarter-finals in March 2027, leading into a final four tournament in June 2027 to crown the Nations League champion. Promotion and relegation between leagues will be resolved through play-offs, shaping the competitive landscape for the 2028–29 edition.
The 2026–27 Nations League draw not only promises high-stakes clashes between Europe’s best but also offers a platform for emerging national teams to make their mark in a structured, competitive format. With every group phase match counting toward progression, promotion or relegation, the stage is set for a compelling season of international football.
