Understanding the UEFA Nations League Format and Team Divisions

How the UEFA Nations League Operates

The 2026-27 UEFA Nations League kicks off this Thursday, continuing a competition that started in 2018. It features national teams competing across four divisions, aiming for promotion or trying to avoid relegation each season.

Top teams from the highest division advance to playoffs to decide the overall champion. While strong performance in the Nations League can boost chances for World Cup and European Championship qualification, it does not provide direct qualification spots.

The leagues are divided into groups: Leagues A, B, and C each contain four groups of four teams, while League D has two groups with fewer teams. UEFA runs a similar format for women's international football as well.

Fixture Structure and Progression

From September through November, every team plays home and away matches against all others in their group. In League A, the top two teams from each group move on to quarter-finals, where eight teams compete in knockout rounds to crown the Nations League winner.

In Leagues B, C, and D, group winners earn promotion to the next league up. Conversely, the bottom teams in Leagues A, B, and C face relegation to the lower tier. Teams finishing second in Leagues B, C, and D will enter relegation play-offs against third-placed teams from Leagues A, B, and C.

The March 2027 international break will host League A quarter-finals and relegation play-offs between League A/B and B/C teams. Semi-finals, finals, and the League C/D play-off happen during June 2027's break.

Teams performing well in the Nations League but missing out on automatic qualification for Euro 2028 will have a chance to compete in additional play-offs for the remaining tournament spots.

Team Allocations 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 Around the Globe

Apart from Europe, similar Nations League competitions take place in Asia and North and Central America. South America currently lacks a men's Nations League, though CONMEBOL reportedly considered creating one in late 2025. Women's football in South America does feature a Nations League.

Africa and Oceania do not run Nations League tournaments at this time.