UEFA announced in an official statement today the date and venue for the draw for the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. The highly anticipated draw will take place in Brussels, Belgium, on February 12, marking the start of a new edition of the increasingly popular continental competition.
UEFA Nations League fixtures and finals dates
According to the schedule released by the continental federation, the group stage is set to begin on September 24, with European teams competing at various levels. The final stage, the Final Four, is scheduled for June 7-15, 2027, and will determine the new champion of this edition.
Uncertainty surrounds Euro 2028 qualifiers
Despite the tournament's main dates being set, UEFA has yet to officially announce the extent to which the upcoming UEFA Nations League will be linked to the Euro 2028 qualifiers, which will be hosted by the United Kingdom and Ireland. This point is crucial for many national teams, as previous editions of the tournament have offered an additional pathway (the play-offs) to qualify for major tournaments like the Euros or the World Cup, giving teams that fail to qualify through the traditional channels a second chance.
History of the tournament and its growing importance
This edition continues the tournament's journey, which began in the 2018/2019 season, with the aim of replacing international friendlies with official competitive matches. The tournament has proven successful in raising the level of competition among European national teams, with Portugal winning the inaugural title, followed by France in the second edition, and then Spain in the third, reflecting the strength of the teams vying for the championship.
The tournament system and its artistic impact
The UEFA Nations League system divides national teams into different leagues based on their rankings, with a promotion and relegation system that ensures a level playing field and technically balanced matches. This tournament offers coaches a golden opportunity to test new players in a high-pressure, competitive environment, far removed from the monotony of previous friendly matches. It also directly contributes to improving national teams' FIFA rankings, which is subsequently reflected in the draws for major tournaments.
