UEFA Nations League 2026/27: Kick-Off Fixtures, Groups & Betting Guide
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The UEFA Nations League 2026/27 kicks off on Thursday, 24 September 2026, opening the fifth edition of the competition with Netherlands vs Germany and Portugal vs Wales headlining an eight-match opening day. The league phase runs from 24 September to 17 November 2026 across four divisions and 54 nations, before the top sides return in March 2027 for the knockout rounds and June 2027 for the Finals.
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What Is the UEFA Nations League?
The UEFA Nations League is UEFA’s competition for men’s national teams, now in its fifth season. It replaces most meaningless international friendlies with competitive fixtures grouped into four divisions by strength, League A down to League D, and doubles as a route into Euro 2028 qualification for lower-ranked nations. Portugal are the defending champions after beating Spain on penalties in the 2025 final in Munich.
How the League Phase Works
League A and League B each have 16 teams split into four groups of four; League C also has 16 teams in four groups of four; League D has the six lowest-ranked nations in two groups of three. Each side plays a mix of home and away fixtures during four international windows in September, October and November, before promotion, relegation and play-off placings are decided.
| League | Structure |
|---|---|
| League A | 16 teams, 4 groups of 4 — includes Spain, France, England, Portugal, Germany, Italy |
| League B | 16 teams, 4 groups of 4 |
| League C | 16 teams, 4 groups of 4 |
| League D | 6 teams, 2 groups of 3 (Andorra, Malta, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Gibraltar) |
UEFA Nations League 2026/27: Matchday 1 Fixtures (SAST)
The full Matchday 1 schedule, as released by UEFA, with all times shown in SAST (identical to UEFA’s listed kick-off times this time of year).
Thursday, 24 September 2026
| Group | Fixture | Kick-off (SAST) |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Andorra vs Malta | 18:00 |
| A2 | Netherlands vs Germany | 20:45 |
| A2 | Serbia vs Greece | 20:45 |
| A4 | Norway vs Denmark | 20:45 |
| A4 | Portugal vs Wales | 20:45 |
| B3 | Austria vs Israel | 20:45 |
| B3 | Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland | 20:45 |
| D2 | Liechtenstein vs Lithuania | 20:45 |
Friday, 25 September 2026
| Group | Fixture | Kick-off (SAST) |
|---|---|---|
| B2 | Georgia vs Northern Ireland | 18:00 |
| C2 | Armenia vs Latvia | 18:00 |
| A1 | Italy vs Belgium | 20:45 |
| A1 | Türkiye vs France | 20:45 |
| B2 | Hungary vs Ukraine | 20:45 |
| B4 | Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | 20:45 |
| B4 | Sweden vs Romania | 20:45 |
| C2 | Montenegro vs Cyprus | 20:45 |
Saturday, 26 September 2026
| Group | Fixture | Kick-off (SAST) |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | Slovenia vs Scotland | 15:00 |
| C1 | San Marino vs Finland | 18:00 |
| C3 | Faroe Islands vs Kazakhstan | 18:00 |
| C4 | Bulgaria vs Luxembourg | 18:00 |
| C4 | Iceland vs Estonia | 18:00 |
| A3 | Czechia vs Croatia | 20:45 |
| A3 | England vs Spain | 20:45 |
| B1 | North Macedonia vs Switzerland | 20:45 |
| C1 | Albania vs Belarus | 20:45 |
| C3 | Slovakia vs Moldova | 20:45 |
Marquee Matchday 1 Fixtures
League A carries the biggest names, and Matchday 1 doesn’t hold back:
- England vs Spain (Sat, 20:45 SAST): Spain arrive as the competition’s most successful recent side outside Portugal, champions in 2023 and runners-up in 2025, and open Group A3 away to an England side looking to make an early statement.
- Netherlands vs Germany (Thu, 20:45 SAST): a renewal of one of European football’s oldest rivalries opens Group A2.
- Portugal vs Wales (Thu, 20:45 SAST): defending champions Portugal begin their title defence at home.
- Italy vs Belgium and Türkiye vs France (Fri, both 20:45 SAST): Group A1’s opening pair, arguably the toughest-looking pool in League A on paper.
- Czechia vs Croatia (Sat, 20:45 SAST): Czechia enter League A after winning promotion from League B, facing a Croatia side that reached the quarter-finals in the previous edition before losing to France.
Why It Matters: Euro 2028 and Promotion
Beyond bragging rights, the Nations League carries real stakes. League A’s group winners advance to the quarter-finals in March 2027 and a shot at the Finals in June 2027, while every group across all four leagues has promotion and relegation on the line. For lower-ranked nations, Nations League standing also feeds into the qualification pathway for Euro 2028, hosted by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
How to Bet on the Nations League from South Africa
SA-licensed bookmakers carry full markets on Nations League fixtures, from match result and both teams to score through to outright League A winner and promotion/relegation specials. With four divisions and 54 nations in play, outright markets carry a wide spread of prices, so compare a couple of operators before committing to an outright bet since overrounds on multi-team markets like this are typically higher than a standard match-result line. Only operators listed on the National Gambling Board’s Verified Operators Register are legally licensed to take your bet in South Africa.
See our best sports betting sites in South Africa hub to compare live odds and welcome offers across reviewed, licensed operators before the opening round kicks off.
Responsible Gambling
With four matchdays played inside two months, it’s easy to overextend on Nations League markets. Use deposit limits, take breaks, and contact the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation on 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp/SMS HELP to 076 675 0710 if it stops feeling like a choice.
Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over only. Please gamble responsibly.
Sources and Useful Links
- UEFA.com: “2026/27 UEFA Nations League: All the league phase fixtures” (updated 22 September 2026)
- UEFA.com: “UEFA Nations League Matchday 1 preview: England vs Spain, Netherlands vs Germany among marquee matches”
- BettingGuru SA — NGB Verified Operators Register Guide
- BettingGuru SA — Legal Betting Sites in South Africa
BettingGuru SA Disclaimer
BettingGuru SA is an independent betting information and comparison platform. This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal or professional advice. Fixtures and kick-off times are correct as of publication and sourced from UEFA’s official release, but broadcast and kick-off details can occasionally shift; always confirm on UEFA.com before match day. Odds and operator terms can change; always check current prices with your operator before betting. We may receive commission from selected betting partners featured on this site; this does not affect our editorial independence. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ only.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 start?
The UEFA Nations League 2026/27 league phase starts on Thursday, 24 September 2026, and runs through to 17 November 2026, with the Finals following in June 2027.
What time is England vs Spain in South Africa?
England host Spain on Saturday, 26 September 2026, with kick-off at 20:45 SAST.
How many teams play in the UEFA Nations League?
54 UEFA member nations compete across four divisions, League A, B, C and D, split into groups of three or four teams.
Who are the defending UEFA Nations League champions?
Portugal are the defending champions, having beaten Spain on penalties in the 2025 Nations League final.
Can I bet on the UEFA Nations League in South Africa?
Yes, licensed South African bookmakers offer full markets on Nations League fixtures, including match result, both teams to score and outright group and league markets. Always confirm your operator holds a valid South African gambling licence before betting.
