Understanding the UEFA Nations League Structure and Teams for 2026-27
The 2026-27 UEFA Nations League season begins this Thursday, continuing a competition that started in 2018. It divides national teams into four tiers, or leagues, where they battle for promotion, avoid relegation, and aim to win the title. Success in this tournament also influences chances of qualifying for major events like the World Cup and European Championships, although it does not provide direct qualification spots.
How Are the Leagues Organized?
Each league has groups: Leagues A, B, and C contain four groups of four teams, while League D includes just six teams split into two groups. UEFA runs a similar format for women’s international football as well.
Match Schedule and Format
From September to November, every team plays each group opponent twice—once at home and once away. In League A, the top two teams from each group advance to quarter-finals, competing in knockout rounds to crown the overall champion.
Group winners in Leagues B, C, and D earn promotion to the next higher league, while the last-placed teams in Leagues A, B, and C face relegation. Teams finishing second in Leagues B, C, and D engage in play-offs against third-place teams from the leagues above to determine final placements.
March 2027 brings the League A quarter-finals and the relegation play-offs between League A/B and B/C teams. The semi-finals and final take place during the June 2027 international break, alongside the League C/D play-offs.
Teams excelling in the Nations League but missing out on the 2028 European Championship through regular qualifiers will enter additional play-offs for remaining tournament spots.
Teams in Each League for 2026-27
- League A
- Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Turkey
- Group A2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece
- Group A3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czech Republic
- Group A4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales
- 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
- 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
- Group D1: Gibraltar, Malta, Andorra
- Group D2: Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
Nations League Beyond Europe
Similar Nations League competitions exist in Asia and North and Central America. South America currently lacks a men's version, but CONMEBOL reportedly considers launching one soon. Women's Nations League tournaments are active there. Africa and Oceania do not have Nations League contests yet.
