Nations League

The UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 is the fifth edition of UEFA's international football competition, bringing together Europe's national teams to compete for the prestigious Nations League trophy. The tournament features 54 national teams divided into four leagues, with promotion, relegation, and qualification for the knockout stages adding importance to every match. The league phase began on 24 September 2026 and runs until 17 November 2026, followed by the League A quarter-finals in March 2027 and the Nations League Finals from 9th to 13th June 2027.

UEFA Nations League History

The UEFA Nations League was introduced in 2018 to provide European national teams with more meaningful competitive fixtures. Since the inaugural edition, Portugal, France, and Spain have all lifted the trophy. Portugal won the first competition in 2019, France became champions in 2021, Spain claimed their first title in 2023, and Portugal returned to win the 2025 edition. The competition has quickly become an important part of the European international football calendar.

Previous Nations League Champions

Portugal won the inaugural Nations League title in 2019 after defeating the Netherlands 1–0 in Porto, with Gonçalo Guedes scoring the decisive goal. France became champions in 2021 after defeating Spain 2–1 in Milan, while Spain won their first Nations League title in 2023 after beating Croatia 5–4 on penalties following a goalless final. Portugal secured their second championship in 2025 after defeating Spain 5–3 on penalties following a 2–2 draw.

UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 Format

The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League is divided into four leagues: League A, League B, League C, and League D. National teams compete in groups within their respective leagues, with results determining qualification, promotion, relegation, and progression to the knockout stages. The format gives teams meaningful objectives throughout the competition, with League A providing the route towards the Nations League Finals.

League A

League A features 16 national teams divided into four groups. The group winners and runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals in March 2027. The quarter-finals are played over two legs, with the winners advancing to the Nations League Finals in June. The four remaining teams then compete in the semi-finals, third-place match, and final for the Nations League trophy.

League B

League B consists of 16 teams divided into four groups. Group winners earn promotion to League A, while runners-up enter promotion and relegation play-offs. Teams finishing fourth face the relevant relegation play-offs, making every league match important for determining the future division of each national team.

League C

League C also features 16 national teams divided into four groups. Group winners earn promotion to League B, while runners-up participate in promotion play-offs. The group standings also determine which teams become involved in relegation-related fixtures as nations compete to improve their position within the UEFA Nations League structure.

League D

League D features six national teams divided into two groups. The participating teams compete for their positions within the competition, with the results also contributing to UEFA's planned restructuring of the Nations League. All League D teams are scheduled to move into League C for the 2028/29 edition as part of the future competition format.

UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 Groups

League A – Group A1 features France, Italy, Belgium, and Türkiye. Group A2 consists of Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, and Greece. Group A3 includes Spain, Croatia, England, and Czechia, while Group A4 features Portugal, Denmark, Norway, and Wales.

League B – Group B1 consists of Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia. Group B2 includes Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, and Northern Ireland. Group B3 features Israel, Austria, Republic of Ireland, and Kosovo, while Group B4 contains Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, and Sweden.

League C – Group C1 includes Albania, Finland, Belarus, and San Marino. Group C2 consists of Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, and Latvia. Group C3 features Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, and Moldova, while Group C4 includes Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Luxembourg.

League D – Group D1 contains Gibraltar, Malta, and Andorra, while Group D2 features Lithuania, Azerbaijan, and Liechtenstein.

UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 Important Dates

The opening two matchdays of the 2026/27 Nations League take place from 24th to 29th September 2026. Matchdays three and four follow from 30th September to 6th October 2026, before the final two league-phase matchdays are played from 12th to 17th November 2026. These fixtures will determine group positions, quarter-final places, and promotion and relegation outcomes.

The League A quarter-finals and relevant League A/B and League B/C promotion and relegation play-offs are scheduled for 25th to 30th March 2027. The Nations League Finals will then take place from 9th to 13th June 2027, featuring the four remaining teams competing in the semi-finals, third-place match, and final.

UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 League A

League A brings together 16 of Europe's leading national teams. The competition features major international fixtures involving nations such as France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, England, Portugal, Denmark, Belgium, Croatia, and others. The group winners and runners-up will progress to the quarter-finals in March 2027.

The League A quarter-finals will be played over two legs, with the winners advancing to the final tournament in June. The four finalists will compete in the semi-finals before the third-place match and final determine the eventual Nations League champion.

League B, C and D Competition

League B provides national teams with an opportunity to challenge for promotion to the top division while also competing to avoid relegation. League C gives its participating nations the chance to earn promotion to League B and improve their position within European international football. League D provides competitive international fixtures for its smaller group of participating nations and forms part of UEFA's planned transition to the new Nations League structure for 2028/29.

Best UEFA Nations League Performances

Portugal produced the first major performance in Nations League history by winning the inaugural 2019 competition. Their 1–0 victory over the Netherlands, secured by Gonçalo Guedes, gave Portugal the first trophy in the competition's history.

France became champions in 2021 after defeating Spain 2–1 in the final. Spain won their first Nations League championship in 2023 after defeating Croatia on penalties following a goalless final. Portugal then returned to the top in 2025, defeating Spain 5–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw and becoming the first nation to win the Nations League twice.

Most Successful Teams in UEFA Nations League History

Portugal are the only team to have won the UEFA Nations League twice, claiming the titles in 2019 and 2025. France won the 2021 edition, while Spain won their first championship in 2023 and have reached the latter stages of multiple editions. These nations have established themselves among the most prominent teams in the history of the competition.

UEFA Nations League and European Football

The UEFA Nations League has become an important part of the European international football calendar since its introduction in 2018. The competition was designed to replace many international friendly matches with competitive fixtures between teams of comparable levels. Its league structure gives national teams meaningful objectives throughout the tournament.

Promotion and relegation provide opportunities for teams to move between divisions, while League A offers a route to the Nations League Finals. The competition also gives national coaches opportunities to assess their squads and provides emerging players with valuable international experience alongside established footballers.

UEFA Nations League and Euro 2028 Qualification

The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League is also connected to the qualification pathway for UEFA Euro 2028. Nations League results can provide certain teams with an additional route into the Euro 2028 play-offs, depending on qualification outcomes and the number of available places. This gives the competition importance beyond the Nations League trophy itself.

Why UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 is Special

The UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 brings together Europe's leading national teams and developing football nations in a competition filled with meaningful international fixtures. The tournament combines established rivalries, promotion battles, relegation challenges, quarter-finals, and a route towards the Nations League championship.

Portugal enter the competition as defending champions after winning their second title in 2025. France and Spain, both previous winners, will compete in League A alongside England, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and other major European national teams. The 2026/27 edition also introduces important promotion and relegation arrangements ahead of UEFA's planned move to a three-league structure from 2028/29.

Tickets and Visitor Information

Tickets for UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 matches are available for individual fixtures, depending on the host association and stadium. Fans can explore available match listings and ticket options through trusted ticket marketplaces such as Xchangetickets.com. Match dates, venues, seating categories, and availability can vary by fixture, so supporters should check the details of their selected Nations League match before completing their booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UEFA Nations League?

The UEFA Nations League is an international football competition organised by UEFA for European national teams. Teams compete in leagues and groups, with promotion, relegation, and knockout stages forming part of the tournament.

When is the UEFA Nations League 2026/2027?

The 2026/27 Nations League league phase runs from 24th September to 17th November 2026. The League A quarter-finals and relevant promotion and relegation play-offs take place from 25th to 30th March 2027, followed by the Nations League Finals from 9th to 13th June 2027.

Which teams are in the UEFA Nations League 2026/2027?

The 2026/27 competition features 54 national teams divided across Leagues A, B, C, and D. League A includes France, Italy, Belgium, Türkiye, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece, Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, and Wales.

How does the UEFA Nations League format work?

Teams are divided into four leagues according to the Nations League structure. Teams compete in groups, with results determining qualification for the knockout stages, promotion to higher leagues, and relegation to lower divisions. League A provides the route to the quarter-finals and ultimately the Nations League Finals.

When are the Nations League Finals?

The UEFA Nations League Finals are scheduled to take place from 9th to 13th June 2027. The final tournament will feature four teams competing in the semi-finals, third-place match, and final.

Who won the previous UEFA Nations League?

Portugal are the defending UEFA Nations League champions after winning the 2025 edition. Portugal defeated Spain 5–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in the final and became the first country to win the Nations League twice.

How can I buy UEFA Nations League tickets?

You can check available UEFA Nations League fixtures and ticket options through ticket marketplaces such as Xchangetickets.com. Select your preferred match and review the available ticket details, seating options, venue information, and event date before completing your booking.