About our UEFA Nations League news
Latest news on the UEFA Nations League (UNL), covering fixtures, results, standings, the draw, Leagues A to D and stories from across Europe.
The UEFA Nations League is UEFA's biennial competition for European men's national teams, launched in 2018 to replace low-stakes friendlies with meaningful matches. All 55 member associations compete, split by ability into Leagues A, B, C and D, with promotion and relegation between them. The top tier crowns the overall champion through a knockout finals stage.
Portugal are the reigning champions, having beaten Spain on penalties in the 2025 final in Munich after a 2-2 draw. That result made Portugal the first nation to win the trophy twice, adding to their inaugural 2019 triumph. France and Spain are the other former winners, and the final proved poignant as it marked the last appearance for Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident weeks later.
The fifth edition, for 2026-27, is now the main focus. The league phase draw took place in Brussels in February 2026, with matches running from September to November 2026, quarter-finals in March 2027 and the finals the following June. Spain, England and Croatia share a League A group, while holders Portugal face Denmark, Norway and Wales. This cycle is also expected to offer a second route into qualification for UEFA Euro 2028, hosted by the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
British and Irish interest runs throughout the competition. England, under head coach Thomas Tuchel, compete in the top division, while Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland battle across the leagues for promotion and survival. The format's tiered structure means smaller nations can win silverware and climb the pyramid, one of the tournament's most praised features.
The Nations League has faced criticism too, chiefly over an already crowded international calendar and player workload. Supporters counter that competitive fixtures against evenly matched opponents beat one-sided friendlies, and television audiences have grown steadily. Debate continues over how the competition should feed into future World Cup and European Championship qualifying.
Whether you follow the drama of the finals, track the standings across every league, or want the latest on your nation's fixtures and results, our NewsNow feed brings it all together. Stay informed with comprehensive, constantly updated UEFA Nations League coverage from a wide range of reliable sources, all in one place.