The 2026-27 UEFA Nations League phase kicks off on Thursday, with all 54 member nations taking part in the league stage. Portugal, the two-time defending champions, aim to retain the trophy they captured in 2025, though they face stiff competition from reigning World Cup winners Spain, former titleholders France, and England.
Established in 2018, the competition was designed to replace uncompetitive friendlies with high-stakes matches between teams of similar strength. The format utilizes a four-league system with promotion and relegation, ensuring that every fixture carries significance.
League Structure and Group Draw
Following the February draw in Brussels, the participating teams have been allocated as follows:
League A
- Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Turkiye
- 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
Match Schedule
The league phase runs through the autumn of 2026, with six matchdays scheduled:
- Matchday 1: September 24-26
- Matchday 2: September 27-29
- Matchday 3: October 1-3
- Matchday 4: October 4-6
- Matchday 5: November 12-14
- Matchday 6: November 15-17
Knockout stages for League A will follow in March 2027, with quarterfinals set for March 25-30. The final tournament is scheduled for June 9-13, 2027. Playoffs involving Leagues B, C, and D are also slated for March 2027 and March 2028.
Competition Format
Teams play home and away against every other side in their group. In League A, group winners and runners-up advance to the quarterfinals. The two highest-ranked third-place teams remain in the top tier, while the lowest-ranked thirds and top two fourth-place teams enter playoffs against League B runners-up. Bottom-fourth placed teams in League A are relegated to League B.
In Leagues B, C, and D, group winners gain promotion. All teams in League D are promoted to League C. For the 2026-27 edition, performance in the Nations League may also provide a secondary pathway to the UEFA EURO 2028 playoffs in the UK and Ireland.
Ronaldo and Star Players
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal’s squad for the upcoming fixtures under new coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old captain recently indicated that the current cycle may be his final one, having yet to win a World Cup after Portugal’s last-16 exit to Spain. However, he has secured Nations League glory twice, leading Portugal to titles in 2019 and 2025.
Other prominent figures include Spain’s Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Ferran Torres; England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham; Norway’s Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard; and Croatia’s Luka Modric. League B features Sweden’s Victor Gyokeres and Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Injuries may sideline several key players at the start of the campaign, including England’s Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, and Marcus Rashford, as well as Spain’s Pedro Porro.
Historical Context
The UEFA Nations League has been held biennially since 2019. Previous finals results include Portugal’s 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in 2019, France’s 2-1 win against Spain in 2021, Spain’s penalty shootout triumph over Croatia in 2023, and Portugal’s penalty win over Spain in 2025.
I’m still not convinced the Nations League fully replaces the emotional pull of a friendly.
Ronaldo at 41? That is absolutely remarkable consistency from the legendary forward.
Portugal retaining the trophy seems tough with Spain and England looking so strong this cycle.