England’s draw with Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic points to tight, high-stakes group games — punters may favour both-teams-to-score or draw markets in England–Spain, while Portugal are clear group favourites against Denmark, Norway and Wales; consider Portugal -1 for knockout-style confidence and look for value on Wales or Norway to pick up surprise points.
Nations League 2026-27 draw in full
League A
France, Italy, Belgium, Turkey Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece Spain, Croatia, England, Czech Republic Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales.
League B
Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, North Macedonia Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, Northern Ireland Israel, Austria, Republic of Ireland, Kosovo Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden
League C
Albania, Finland, Belarus, San Marino Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, Gibraltar/Latvia* Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Luxembourg/Malta*
League D
Gibraltar/Latvia, Luxembourg/Malta, Andorra Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
*Gibraltar and Latvia, and Luxembourg and Malta, will contest play-offs in March to determine who plays in Leagues C and D.
Format and schedule
Each team faces every other team in its group twice (home and away) during the group phase between September and November 2026. The top two teams from each League A group progress to the quarter-finals in March 2027; semi-finals and the final follow in June 2027 to decide the Nations League champion.
Group winners in Leagues B, C and D are promoted one tier; bottom teams in Leagues A, B and C are relegated. Second-placed teams in Leagues B, C and D enter relegation play-offs against third-placed teams from the divisions above. The Nations League also offers a route into the 2028 European Championship via play-offs for the best-performing non-qualified teams.
Key groups and storylines to watch
England’s Group A3 is a headline attraction: Spain vs England remains a marquee fixture and the presence of Croatia and the Czech Republic ensures no easy nights.
Portugal defend their Nations League crown in a competitive A4 that includes Denmark, Norway and Wales — Wales can be a dangerous dark horse. Scotland, fresh from a return to the World Cup, will be heavy favourites in a strong-looking B1 alongside Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia. Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Poland all face tests in competitive B groups.
Betting implications and market angles
England–Spain: Expect tight games — markets to consider include draw and both-teams-to-score. England’s fixtures could produce low-margin outcomes suitable for draw or BTTS markets rather than heavy England wins.
Portugal in A4: Portugal are group favourites; match and outright markets may favour Portugal -1 or group-winner bets. Value can be found backing underdogs like Wales or Norway to snag points. League B promotions/relegations: Markets on promotion and relegation are worth watching — Scotland look a strong candidate to top B1.
Play-off qualifiers: The Nations League route to Euro 2028 adds value to bets on teams likely to finish top of their group but miss direct qualification elsewhere. General tip: Early futures markets for group winners and relegation are often informative; monitor injuries and squad announcements before staking larger wagers.
Context and final note
The fifth edition of the UEFA Nations League runs from September 2026 to June 2027, featuring four groups of four teams in Leagues A, B and C, and two groups of three in League D.
Portugal enter as defending champions after beating Spain on penalties last summer, and several groups promise high-stakes fixtures with promotion, relegation and Euro play-off implications across the competition.
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England will face Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic in the 2026-27 Uefa Nations League group stage, while Wales are drawn with holders Portugal.
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