UEFA Nations League 2026-27: Groups, teams, top players, format

The road to the UEFA Nations League 2026-27 begins on Thursday, with 54 teams in action in the league phase.

Portugal, the record two-time champions, will look to successfully retain the title they won in 2025.

But with reigning World Cup winners Spain, and former champions France and heavyweights England also in the mix, the title defence will be far from easy.

The UEFA Nations League was founded in 2018 to reduce the number of meaningless friendlies and give nations competitive matches against equally-ranked teams.

In this competition, countries from across Europe participate in a league structure, which features promotion and relegation.

A total of 54 teams will participate in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.

They are divided into the following leagues and groups, following the draw in Brussels, Belgium in February:

Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Turkiye Group A2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece Group A3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia Group A4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales