Understanding the UEFA Nations League Format and Team Divisions
The 2026-27 season of the UEFA Nations League kicks off this Thursday. Since its inception in 2018, this tournament has organized national teams into four tiers, called leagues, where they battle for promotion or to avoid relegation.
Each edition features nations competing within their leagues, aiming to reach the play-offs if they are among the best in League A. While strong performances in this competition can enhance chances for qualifying for the World Cup or European Championships, direct qualification through the Nations League itself isn't possible.
League Structure and Group Splits
- Leagues A, B, and C: Each divided into four groups containing four teams.
- League D: Contains six teams split into two groups.
A similar format is also used by UEFA for the women's international Nations League.
Match Schedule and Progression Rules
Between September and November, every team plays home and away matches against all other teams in their group.
- In League A, the top two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals. These eight teams then compete in a knockout format to crown the overall winner.
- Group winners in Leagues B, C, and D earn promotion to the next higher league.
- Teams finishing last in their groups in Leagues A, B, and C face relegation to the league below.
- Teams finishing second in groups of Leagues B, C, and D enter relegation play-offs against third-placed teams from Leagues A, B, and C.
The March 2027 international break will host League A quarter-finals and relegation play-offs between Leagues A/B and B/C. Semi-finals and the final take place during the June 2027 break, alongside the League C/D play-off.
Teams that do well but fail to secure a spot through regular qualifiers for the 2028 European Championships will have another chance via Nations League-based play-offs.
Teams in Each League for 2026-27
- League AGroup 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 tournaments exist in Asia and North and Central America. South America currently lacks a men's Nations League, though reports in late 2025 hinted that CONMEBOL might start one soon. Women's football in South America already has a Nations League.
Africa and Oceania have yet to establish Nations League competitions.
