UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Season Kicks Off
The new UEFA Nations League campaign begins this evening with the opening fixtures of the 2026/27 season. Türkiye will make history in the tournament by appearing in League A for the first time. Vincenzo Montella’s team will welcome France on Friday, September 25, with kick-off scheduled for 21:45.
The first round of matches will be played between September 24 and 26. The competition once again brings together Europe’s leading national teams, while also giving lower-ranked sides an opportunity to compete for promotion and test themselves against stronger opponents.
Türkiye’s historic League A campaign
Türkiye earned promotion from League B during the 2024/25 edition and will now compete in the top tier of the Nations League for the first time. The national team has been drawn into League A Group 1 alongside France, Italy and Belgium.
The opening match will take place at Kocaeli Stadium, where Türkiye will face France on September 25 at 21:45. The team’s next home fixture will be against Italy in Bursa on September 28. Türkiye will then travel to play Belgium on October 2 before visiting Italy on October 5.
The final two group matches, against Belgium and France, are scheduled for November. The results will determine whether Türkiye can reach the knockout stage, remain in League A or face a relegation play-off.
This group represents a major challenge for the Turkish side. France, Italy and Belgium all possess significant international experience, deep squads and players competing at the highest level of European football. At the same time, Türkiye’s promotion gives the team an opportunity to measure its progress against elite opposition.
Portugal enter as defending champions
Portugal are the reigning Nations League champions. In the 2025 final, Portugal defeated Spain on penalties after the match ended 2-2 following extra time. The shootout finished 5-3 in Portugal’s favour.
The success also made Portugal the first nation to win the Nations League twice. The country had previously lifted the trophy in 2019, confirming its status as the most successful team in the tournament’s history so far.
Portugal have been placed in League A Group 4 for the 2026/27 campaign. Their opponents will be Denmark, Norway and Wales. The group is expected to produce a competitive battle, as all four teams have the quality to challenge for the top two positions.
How the Nations League format works
Leagues A, B and C each contain 16 teams divided into four groups of four. League D consists of two groups containing three teams each. Every team plays the other sides in its group both at home and away.
The top two teams from each League A group advance to the quarter-finals. These ties are played over two legs, with the four winners progressing to the final tournament.
Teams finishing third or fourth in League A may have to compete in play-offs to preserve their place in the top division. This structure ensures that the group stage remains meaningful until the final matchday, since teams are competing not only for qualification but also to avoid relegation.
Promotion and relegation battles are particularly important in Leagues B, C and D. Success in the group stage can lead to promotion, while poor results may force a team into a play-off or a lower division in the next edition.
League A groups
Group 1: France, Italy, Belgium, Türkiye
Group 2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece
Group 3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia
Group 4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales
League B groups
Group 1: Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, North Macedonia
Group 2: Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, Northern Ireland
Group 3: Israel, Austria, Republic of Ireland, Kosovo
Group 4: Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden
League C groups
Group 1: Albania, Finland, Belarus, San Marino
Group 2: Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, Latvia
Group 3: Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Group 4: Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Luxembourg
Opening match schedule
All times are listed in Turkish local time.
Thursday, September 24
League A – Group 2
21:45 Netherlands vs Germany
21:45 Serbia vs Greece
League A – Group 4
21:45 Portugal vs Wales
21:45 Norway vs Denmark
League B – Group 3
21:45 Austria vs Israel
21:45 Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland
League D – Group 1
19:00 Andorra vs Malta
21:45 Liechtenstein vs Lithuania
Friday, September 25
21:45 Türkiye vs France
21:45 Italy vs Belgium
19:00 Georgia vs Northern Ireland
21:45 Hungary vs Ukraine
21:45 Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
21:45 Sweden vs Romania
League C
19:00 Armenia vs Latvia
21:45 Montenegro vs Cyprus
Saturday, September 26
21:45 England vs Spain
21:45 Czechia vs Croatia
16:00 Slovenia vs Scotland
21:45 North Macedonia vs Switzerland
19:00 San Marino vs Finland
21:45 Albania vs Belarus
19:00 Faroe Islands vs Kazakhstan
21:45 Slovakia vs Moldova
19:00 Iceland vs Estonia
19:00 Bulgaria vs Luxembourg
What to expect from the new season
The Nations League has become one of the most strategically important competitions in the international football calendar. Unlike friendly matches, every result directly affects promotion, relegation or qualification for the final tournament. This has encouraged national teams to approach the competition with stronger squads and more ambitious tactical plans.
For Türkiye, the campaign will also provide valuable experience against some of Europe’s strongest opponents. Matches with France, Italy and Belgium will test the national team’s defensive organization, midfield control and ability to respond under pressure.
The opening fixture against France is especially significant. A positive result would give Türkiye confidence and could immediately change the balance within Group 1. However, the demanding schedule means squad depth, player fitness and rotation will be just as important as individual performances.
The group stage is expected to produce intense competition across all four leagues. While the biggest attention will focus on League A, promotion races in the lower divisions could also be decided by narrow margins. With home-and-away fixtures and a long international calendar ahead, consistency will be the key factor throughout the 2026/27 Nations League season.