The 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League will get underway with several high-profile clashes, coinciding with new sporting projects for some of Europe’s biggest teams, led by coaches who took charge following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, held this summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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France, which finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup, will begin a new era under its former star and legend Zinedine Zidane. He takes over from Didier Deschamps, his former teammate in France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs.
Deschamps led “Les Bleus” for 14 years, winning the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League, while also finishing runners-up at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup and third in the 2025 Nations League. However, he faced considerable criticism for failing to achieve more with a squad widely regarded as exceptionally talented.
Zidane will begin his tenure with “Les Bleus” facing difficult tests, away to Turkey on Friday and Belgium next Monday, before hosting Italy and Belgium on October 2 and 5 respectively in Group A of League A.
Zidane’s rivals are also embarking on new eras. Italy has brought back Roberto Mancini, who led the team to the Euro 2021 title, in an attempt to rescue the Azzurri from a cycle of failure after they missed out on qualification for the last three World Cups in 2018, 2022 and 2026.
Belgium, meanwhile, parted ways with French coach Rudi Garcia, who guided the team to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, and appointed Dutchman Mark van Bommel.
In Group B of League A, Germany, the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece will compete.
Germany and the Netherlands will both enter this edition of the Nations League under new coaches.
The Dutch have appointed former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández to replace Ronald Koeman, under whom the team exited the World Cup in the round of 32 after losing to Morocco.
Germany, meanwhile, persuaded Jürgen Klopp to return to coaching after two years away from the profession following his departure from Liverpool and his subsequent executive role with the Red Bull group of clubs. Klopp has been brought in to revive the “Mannschaft” after their early exits from the last three World Cups — in 2018 under Joachim Löw, 2022 under Hansi Flick and 2026 under Julian Nagelsmann.
The group will feature a classic clash in its opening round when Germany visit the Netherlands on Thursday.
Football fans will also be treated to major encounters in Group C, which features world and European champions Spain, along with Croatia, England and the Czech Republic.
Croatia is also preparing for a new era following the departure of Zlatko Dalić, who established the team among Europe’s elite over many years and guided them to the 2018 World Cup final, where they lost 4-2 to France. He has been replaced by new coach Slaven Bilić.
Spain, runners-up in the 2025 Nations League, will begin their campaign on Saturday with a major clash against England, in a rematch of the Euro 2024 final, which Spain won 2-1 at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
Spain has retained coach Luis de la Fuente, while Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager and been replaced by German coach Thomas Tuchel, who led the “Three Lions” to the bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup after a thrilling 6-4 victory over France on July 18.
Following their clash with England, Spain will play two consecutive home matches against Croatia next Tuesday and the Czech Republic on October 3, before facing Croatia again in Zagreb on October 6.
Portugal, the defending champions and two-time Nations League winners in 2019 and 2025, will also begin a new era under experienced head coach Jorge Jesus, who took charge in early July, replacing Spaniard Roberto Martínez, under whom Portugal exited the World Cup in the round of 16 after losing to Spain.
Jesus will begin his tenure with Portugal in Group D with a varied schedule. Portugal will face Wales on Thursday and travel to Denmark next Thursday, before playing two major encounters against Norway, led by Manchester City star Erling Haaland and his teammates, on Sunday in Oslo and October 4 in Lisbon.
