Understanding the UEFA Nations League Format and Team Divisions
The 2026-27 UEFA Nations League begins this Thursday. Launched in 2018, this competition divides European national teams into four distinct leagues, each with a system of promotion and relegation at stake during every cycle. The best teams from the top league advance to the play-offs to compete for the title.
While the Nations League influences chances for World Cup and European Championship qualification, it doesn't provide direct entry to these major tournaments. Teams are grouped within their leagues: Leagues A, B, and C each have four groups of four teams, whereas League D consists of just six teams spread across two groups.
UEFA also runs a similar Nations League for international women's football.
Match Schedule and Competition Structure
From September through November, every team plays home and away matches against others in their group. In League A, the top two teams from each group move on to quarter-finals. These eight teams then compete in knockout rounds to decide the overall winner.
Group winners in Leagues B, C, and D earn promotion to the next higher league. Teams finishing last in groups of Leagues A, B, and C drop down a league. Those who finish second in groups of Leagues B, C, and D face off in relegation play-offs against third-placed teams from Leagues A, B, and C.
March 2027 will feature the League A quarter-finals and relegation play-offs between Leagues A/B and B/C. Semi-finals, the final, and the League C/D play-off are scheduled for June 2027’s international break.
Teams that perform well but fail to qualify directly for Euro 2028 will enter additional play-offs for the remaining spots.
Teams by League and Group
- 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 Outside Europe
Asia and North and Central America run their own Nations League tournaments. South America currently lacks a men's Nations League, but there are reports from late 2025 about CONMEBOL considering launching one. They do have a women's Nations League. Africa and Oceania do not organize Nations League competitions.
