The UEFA Nations League 2026/27 starts on 24 September 2026. European national teams will compete across Leagues A, B, C and D. The league phase will run until 17 November 2026.
There is plenty to follow this season. Fans can check the UEFA Nations League groups, match dates, standings and promotion battles. Meanwhile, the top teams in League A will fight for a place in the Nations League Finals in June 2027.
What Is the UEFA Nations League?
The UEFA Nations League is an international football competition for European national teams. UEFA created the tournament to give national teams more competitive matches during international breaks.
Instead of playing only friendly matches, teams compete for points and a place in the next stage. The competition also includes promotion and relegation between the leagues.
As a result, matches can affect both the final standings and the next Nations League campaign.
When Does the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Start?
The UEFA Nations League 2026/27 league phase starts on 24 September 2026. The first four matchdays take place between 24 September and 6 October.
After that, the final two matchdays will take place in November. The league phase ends on 17 November 2026.
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | 24–26 September 2026 |
| Matchday 2 | 27–29 September 2026 |
| Matchday 3 | 30 September–3 October 2026 |
| Matchday 4 | 4–6 October 2026 |
| Matchday 5 | 12–14 November 2026 |
| Matchday 6 | 15–17 November 2026 |
| Quarter-finals and play-offs | 25–30 March 2027 |
| Nations League Finals | 9–13 June 2027 |
UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Groups
UEFA has divided the teams into four leagues. League A contains the highest-ranked teams, while League D contains the lowest-ranked teams in the current structure.
Each league has its own groups. Therefore, teams compete against opponents in the same group during the league phase.
League A Groups
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A1 | France, Italy, Belgium, Türkiye |
| A2 | Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece |
| A3 | Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia |
| A4 | Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales |
League B Groups
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| B1 | Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, North Macedonia |
| B2 | Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, Northern Ireland |
| B3 | Israel, Austria, Republic of Ireland, Kosovo |
| B4 | Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden |
League C Groups
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| C1 | Albania, Finland, Belarus, San Marino |
| C2 | Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, Latvia |
| C3 | Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova |
| C4 | Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Luxembourg |
League D Groups
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| D1 | Gibraltar, Malta, Andorra |
| D2 | Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein |
How Does the UEFA Nations League Format Work?
The UEFA Nations League format uses a league system. Teams first play the league phase before the competition moves into the knockout stage.
In League A, the four group winners and four runners-up move into the quarter-finals. The quarter-final winners then reach the Nations League Finals.
Meanwhile, teams in Leagues B, C and D also compete for promotion. In contrast, some teams must fight to avoid relegation to a lower league.
Therefore, every match can have an effect on a team’s position.
What Happens in League A?
League A contains four groups of four teams. Each team plays six matches during the league phase.
The group winners and runners-up move into the quarter-finals. The quarter-final ties take place in March 2027.
After the quarter-finals, four teams remain. Those teams then compete in the UEFA Nations League Finals in June 2027.
Key UEFA Nations League Fixtures
The opening matchdays include several major European football fixtures. For example, Germany visit the Netherlands on 24 September, while Portugal host Wales on the same day.
On 25 September, Italy face Belgium and Türkiye play France. Then, on 26 September, Czechia meet Croatia and England host Spain.
These matches give fans an early look at the form of the League A teams.
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 24 September | Netherlands vs Germany |
| 24 September | Portugal vs Wales |
| 25 September | Italy vs Belgium |
| 25 September | Türkiye vs France |
| 26 September | Czechia vs Croatia |
| 26 September | England vs Spain |
Why Are the Nations League Standings Important?
The UEFA Nations League standings show how teams are performing in their groups. Teams earn points from their results, so every match can change the table.
At the end of the league phase, the standings decide which teams move forward, which teams enter play-offs and which teams change leagues.
For that reason, checking the standings after each matchday is a simple way to follow the competition.
Promotion and Relegation Explained
Promotion and relegation are important parts of the Nations League. They can change the league position of a national team for the next edition.
League B group winners move up to League A. League C group winners move up to League B. In addition, all League D teams will move up to League C for the next edition under the current competition structure.
However, some teams must play promotion or relegation play-offs. The results of those matches help decide the final league structure.
The Road to the UEFA Nations League Finals
The road to the Finals begins with the league phase. First, teams compete in their groups from September to November 2026.
Next, the top League A teams enter the quarter-finals in March 2027. The winners then move into the final tournament.
Finally, four teams will compete in the Nations League Finals from 9 to 13 June 2027. UEFA has not yet confirmed the host of the final tournament.
Teams and Players to Follow
The 2026/27 competition brings together many of Europe’s leading national teams. France, Italy, Germany, Spain, England and Portugal are among the teams in League A.
At the same time, other nations will look to make progress through the league system. Young players may also get important opportunities during the international window.
Therefore, team news, squad lists and player form will be useful areas to follow throughout the tournament.
Follow UEFA Nations League Updates
For more football information, fixtures and tournament updates, visit the Nova88 homepage.
You can also follow the latest Nations League results, group standings and match news as the 2026/27 competition develops.
Final Thoughts
The UEFA Nations League 2026/27 offers a full schedule of international football from September through June. The group stage starts on 24 September, while the league phase ends in November.
After that, the quarter-finals will decide the four teams that reach the Finals. As the season continues, the group standings, promotion races and knockout matches will give fans plenty to follow.
Keep this guide bookmarked for the main UEFA Nations League fixtures, groups, format and schedule throughout the 2026/27 season.