The UEFA Nations League returns for its fifth edition in September 2026, bringing together Europe's top national teams in a competition designed to replace international friendlies with meaningful, competitive matches.
Fans in South Africa can watch the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League live on SuperSport, with matches available across SuperSport's television channels and streaming platform, DStv Stream.
WHERE TO WATCH THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE
With heavyweight clashes such as Spain v England, France v Italy and Germany v Netherlands on the horizon, the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League promises another season of elite international football, live on SuperSport and DStv Stream.
WHAT ARE THE GROUPS FOR THE 2026/27 UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE?
The league phase draw was conducted in Brussels on 12 February 2026.
League A
Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Türkiye
Group A2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece
Group A3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia
Group A4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales
League B
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
League C
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
League D
Group D1: Gibraltar, Malta, Andorra
Group D2: Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE MATCH DATES
League Phase
Matchday 1: 24-26 September 2026
Matchday 2: 27-29 September 2026
Matchday 3: 30 September-3 October 2026
Matchday 4: 4-6 October 2026
Matchday 5: 12-14 November 2026
Matchday 6: 15-17 November 2026
KNOCKOUT STAGE AND PLAY-OFFS
Quarterfinals and League A/B & B/C Play-offs: 25-30 March 2027
League C/D Play-offs: 23-28 March 2028
Finals Tournament
9-13 June 2027
WHAT IS THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE?
Introduced by UEFA to reduce the number of international friendlies, the Nations League pits countries of similar ranking against one another in a competitive league system featuring promotion and relegation.
The competition also provides an additional pathway towards qualification for major tournaments, with the 2026/27 edition expected to be linked to the UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying process.
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2026/27?
One of the biggest changes is a longer international window between 24 September and 6 October 2026, allowing teams to play four Nations League fixtures during a condensed period.
The competition will also continue to influence qualification for major UEFA tournaments, offering another route to UEFA Euro 2028 for nations that fall short during traditional qualifying campaigns.
HOW DOES THE KNOCKOUT STAGE WORK?
Following the conclusion of the league phase in November 2026, the top two teams in each League A group will advance to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinal winners progress to the finals tournament in June 2027, where four teams will battle for the UEFA Nations League title.
PROMOTION AND RELEGATION EXPLAINED
League A
Group winners and runners-up qualify for the quarterfinals.
The two best third-placed teams remain in League A.
The other two third-placed teams and the two best fourth-placed teams enter promotion/relegation play-offs.
The two lowest-ranked fourth-placed teams are relegated to League B.
League B
Group winners are promoted to League A.
Runners-up enter promotion play-offs against League A sides.
Third-placed teams remain in League B.
Fourth-placed teams enter play-offs against League C runners-up.
League C
Group winners are promoted to League B.
Runners-up enter promotion play-offs.
Third and fourth-placed teams remain in League C.
League D
All teams are promoted to League C as UEFA prepares for a three-league structure from the 2028/29 edition.
PREVIOUS UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE WINNERS
2019: Portugal 1-0 Netherlands
2021: France 2-1 Spain
2023: Spain beat Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw
2025: Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw