UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Starts Today: Opening Fixtures, Key Dates and What to Know

UEFA Nations League football is back

The UEFA Nations League returns to competitive action today, with eight matches opening the 2026/27 campaign across Europe. There is no slow introduction to the new edition. League A immediately delivers Netherlands against Germany, Portugal against Wales, Norway against Denmark and Serbia against Greece — four fixtures capable of giving the opening night the feel of a major international window rather than a routine September programme.

Netherlands vs Germany leads the opening night

The biggest fixture on Thursday's schedule comes in Group A2, where Netherlands host Germany. It is the kind of matchup the Nations League was designed to produce: two major European teams meeting in a competitive fixture from the beginning of the campaign, with little room to ease into the international window. Germany will also face Greece during this first window, while Netherlands travel to Serbia on Matchday 2, meaning the group can start taking shape almost immediately.

Portugal begin at home as Norway and Denmark meet

Group A4 also starts with two intriguing fixtures. Portugal host Wales, while Norway welcome Denmark in a Scandinavian meeting that should attract plenty of attention beyond the group itself. The schedule becomes even more interesting only three days later. Norway host Portugal on Sunday, while Denmark face Wales, creating an opening double-header that could quickly separate the group.

Thursday's UEFA Nations League fixtures

A packed opening weekend follows

Thursday is only the beginning. Friday brings Italy against Belgium and Türkiye against France in League A, while Sweden host Romania in League B. For Romania, that trip to Sweden represents the first step in a group that also includes Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Then Saturday provides another heavyweight international fixture when England host Spain, alongside Czechia against Croatia. Across three days, the Nations League moves straight from opening night into a schedule containing several of Europe's strongest national teams.

Romania start in Sweden on Friday

Romania do not have to wait long to enter the competition. Their Nations League campaign begins away to Sweden on Friday before they return home to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday. Poland complete Group B4, with the first international window therefore offering an immediate opportunity to establish an early position in the group. The Sweden fixture should be one of Friday's most closely followed League B matches, particularly with both teams beginning a six-game league-phase campaign.

The first weekend should tell us plenty

International football can often take time to develop a clear competitive picture. This Nations League window will not offer much of that luxury. Teams play their first two matches only a few days apart, so an excellent — or disastrous — opening night can immediately be followed by another important result. That makes the next six days particularly interesting: Netherlands and Germany begin against each other, Norway face both Denmark and Portugal, France travel to Türkiye and Belgium, and Romania open with Sweden before hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina. The competition is back, and the first meaningful storylines should arrive quickly.

Follow the Nations League on BetLogic

BetLogic's Daily Matches page tracks the fixtures being played each day, including available match pages, previews and prediction intelligence. For the complete competition overview — including groups, standings, schedule, results and the wider structure of the tournament — BetLogic also has a dedicated UEFA Nations League guide.