Nations League explained for the Three Lions
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How does the Nations League work? What is the competition format? Find out all you need to know.
But what is the format of the Nations League and what is it stake for England?
Which League are England in?
The Three Lions are back in League A for the fifth edition of the competition, following their promotion from League B under the interim charge of Lee Carsley in the autumn of 2024.
England discovered their opponents for the Nations League 2026-27 when the draw was made in Brussels back in February, with the Three Lions placed into Group 3 in League A with Spain, Croatia and Czechia.
How does the Nations League work?
The draw saw teams divided into four leagues – Leagues A, B, and C include 16 teams each, divided into four groups of four teams, while League D includes six teams divided into two groups of three.
For England, there are six fixtures to be played home and away against each of their opponents to determine the final rankings in each group.
Following the conclusion of the league phase, the winners and runners-up in each group from League A will advance to the quarter-finals – played over two legs, home and away – which are scheduled to take place in March 2027.
The finals will then be contested between the four quarter-final winners in June 2027. The finals are played in a knockout format, including the semi-finals, third place play-off and final.
Portugal are the defending Nations League champions, having won the 2025 finals.
When do England play?
Thomas Tuchel’s side will play four of their six games in the newly-extended September and October international window. The group will then be rounded off with two games in November.
Matchday 1: England v Spain
7.45pm BST, Saturday 26 September 2026
Matchday 2: Czechia v England
7.45pm BST, Tuesday 29 September 2026
Matchday 3: Croatia v England
5pm BST, Saturday 3 October 2026
Matchday 4: England v Czechia
7.45pm BST, Tuesday 6 October 2026
Matchday 5: England v Croatia
7.45pm GMT, Thursday 12 November 2026
Matchday 6: Spain v England
7.45pm GMT, Sunday 15 November 2026
How are England approaching the competition?
“The target is to go out of the group into the quarter-finals in March and then go to the final four in June,” said head coach Tuchel, speaking ahead of the upcoming camp.
“I think we had a cycle of ten matches in the US, including our friendly matches before the World Cup. We had eight wins, one draw and one loss which is a very good record, so now we want to create another cycle of ten matches.
“We have six in the group phase, then hopefully two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final.”
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