England face a rematch with their Euro 2024 final conquerors Spain in the 2026/27 Nations League with the group-stage draw being completed.
The draw took place in Brussels on the day it was announced England head coach Thomas Tuchel had agreed a contract extension which will see him take charge for the upcoming Nations League campaign and the European Championship on home soil in 2028.
Spain broke the hearts of England in the final of Euro 2024 in Germany, giving England an opportunity for revenge, while Tuchel's men will also take on Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group A3.
Wales have been placed in Group A4 alongside Nations League holders Portugal, plus Denmark and Norway, while Scotland have been tasked in a tough Group B1 with fellow World Cup 2026 qualifiers Switzerland, along with Slovenia and North Macedonia.
Follow all the latest updates from Brussels below:
2026/27 Nations League draw live
- Draw for 2026/27 Nations League in full
- England back in League A and drawn against 2024/25 runners-up Spain, Croatia and Czechia
- Wales to face holders Portugal as well as Denmark and Norway
- Scotland tasked with tough outings against Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia
- Republic of Ireland drawn to face Israel, Austria and Kosovo
- Northern Ireland join group with Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia
- Thomas Tuchel will be in charge for the tournament after extending his contract with England
Thomas Tuchel extends England contract to rule himself out of Man United job
Thursday 12 February 2026 19:00 , Will CastleIn case you missed the news earlier...
Thomas Tuchel has extended his contract with England through to Euro 2028, staying as manager beyond this summer’s World Cup.
The German was appointed as England boss in January 2025 following Gareth Southgate’s departure after Euro 2024, with Under-21 manager Lee Carsley filling the gap in the interim role for four months.
Tuchel’s contract was due to expire after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but his stay with England has now been prolonged for another two years.
It means Tuchel will lead the Three Lions into a home Euros, something the former Chelsea manager views as an unprecedented opportunity, with the 2028 edition being hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, culminating in a final at Wembley.
Thomas Tuchel extends England contract to rule himself out of Man United job
Nations League 2026/27 dates
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:50 , Will CastleMatchday 1: 24-26 September 2026
Matchday 2: 27-29 September 2026
Matchday 3: 30 September-3 October 2026* (may exceptionally be used to schedule Matchday 3 fixtures)
Matchday 4: 4-6 October 2026
Matchday 5: 12-14 November 2026
Matchday 6: 15-17 November 2026
League A quarter-finals: 25-30 March 2027
League A/B and B/C play-offs: 25-30 March 2027
Final tournament: 9-13 June 2027
League C/D play-offs: 23-28 March 2028
Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland discover opponents
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:40 , Will CastleBoth Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will still be dreaming of a World Cup berth with their pivotal qualifying play-offs to come in March.
But if all fails, they’ll have an extra few months to get preparing for their Nations League opponents!
The Republic of Ireland’s toughest match-up will see them take on Austria, with a meeting with Kosovo also in the books. They’ve also been drawn in the same group as Israel - I’m sure there’ll be updates on any potential complications surrounding that tie, for the obvious reasons.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, have been drawn against Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia - a tough group with three teams that qualified for Euro 2024.
Scotland given tough draw in League B
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:30 , Will CastleScotland haven’t been given an easy time of it in League B, being drawn against Switzerland, North Macedonia and Slovenia.
North Macedonia proved a tricky team to face for Wales when they faced in Skopje during World Cup qualifying - although Scotland may choose to look at the more recent 7-1 thrashing of the nation as reason for optimism.
Wales set to meet Nations League holders Portugal
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:20 , Will CastleWales have avoided the potential groups of death, with both Group A1 containing France, Italy and Belgium while Group A2 saw rivals Germany and the Netherland drawn together.
But Craig Bellamy will nevertheless have to contend with the tournament holders, with two-time winners Portugal looking for their third title.
Match-ups with Erling Haaland’s Norway and Denmark are also in the docket for Wales.
England set for Spain clash
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:10 , Will CastleThe mouthwatering match-up from an England perspective will see them meet with Spain in their League A group.
The Three Lions will also face off against Croatia, who they would have just faced at this summer’s World Cup.
If you’re in need of a reminder what happened the last time England faced Spain...
Nations League 2026/27 draw in full
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:59 , Will CastleLeague A
Group A1
France 🇫🇷
Italy 🇮🇹
Belgium 🇧🇪
Turkey 🇹🇷
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 & Herzegovina 🇧🇦
Romania 🇷🇴
Sweden 🇸🇪
League C
Group C1
Albania 🇦🇱
Finland 🇫🇮
Belarus 🇧🇾
San Marino 🇸🇲
Group C2
Montenegro 🇲🇪
Armenia 🇦🇲
Cyprus 🇨🇾
Gibraltar 🇬🇮 or Latvia 🇱🇻
Group C3
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Slovakia 🇸🇰
Faroe Islands 🇫🇴
Moldova 🇲🇩
Group C4
Iceland 🇮🇸
Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Estonia 🇪🇪
Malta 🇲🇹 or Luxembourg 🇱🇺
League D
Group D1
Gibraltar 🇬🇮 or Latvia 🇱🇻
Malta 🇲🇹 or Luxembourg 🇱🇺
Andorra 🇦🇩
Group D2
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
Liechtenstein 🇱🇮
That's all she wrote!
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:57 , Will CastleAnd with that, the draw for the 2026/27 Nations League is complete!
We’ll bring you the full draw and reaction next.
League A draw
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:55 , Will CastleGroup A1
France 🇫🇷
Italy 🇮🇹
Belgium 🇧🇪
Turkey 🇹🇷
Group A2
Germany 🇩🇪
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Serbia 🇷🇸
Greece 🇬🇷
Group A3
Spain 🇪🇸
Croatia 🇭🇷
England 🏴
Czechia 🇨🇿
Group A4
Portugal 🇵🇹
Denmark 🇩🇰
Norway 🇳🇴
Wales 🏴
Wales join group with defending champions Portugal
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:55 , Will CastleWales are the final team out of the pot, joining Group A4 alongside defending Nations League champions Portugal.
They have also been drawn to face Denmark and Norway.
England’s final group opponents will be Czechia.
England drawn in group with 2024/25 runners-up Spain
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:54 , Will CastleEngland come out of Pot 3 and have been drawn in Group A4 alongside 2024/25 Nations League runners-up Spain, as well as Croatia, who they will also face in the group stage of this summer’s World Cup.
League A draw special guest revealed
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:48 , Will CastleFormer Real Madrid and Portugal defender Pepe is brought up to conduct the League A draw.
He says the Selecao are favourites to win the trophy again - maybe a bit biased.
England and Wales set to discover Nations League groups in League A draw
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:47 , Will CastleTime for the League A draw.
England and Wales will discover their opponents here, with a lot of blockbuster match-ups set to be made.
Here are how the pots look - spoiler, they’re stacked with the big hitters:
Pot 1: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany
Pot 2: Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia
Pot 3: Serbia, Belgium, England, Norway
Pot 4: Wales, Czechia, Greece, Turkey
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 & Herzegovina 🇧🇦
Romania 🇷🇴
Sweden 🇸🇪
League B draw finalised as Northern Ireland drawn
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:43 , Will CastleNorthern Ireland are out of the hat as they join Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in Group B2.
Scotland’s final Group B1 opponent is North Macedonia, while Kosovo join the Republic of Ireland in Group B3.
Final League B draw to come shortly.
Slovenia next to join Scotland's group as Republic of Ireland discover first opponents
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:41 , Will CastleSlovenia join Scotland’s group alongside Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland has been drawn out of Pot 3 and joins Group B3, alongside Israel and Georgia.
Switzerland joins Scotland in Group B1
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:39 , Will CastleSwitzerland are the first team to join Scotland’s group - tough draw.
Scotland are first ball out of the pot
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:37 , Will CastleScotland have been drawn out of the first pot and are into Group B1.
Patrick Vieira takes to the stage
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:36 , Will CastleSorry Fernando, but I think you’ve been trumped.
Former Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira takes to the stage for the League B draw.
Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland set to discover opponents in League B draw
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:35 , Will CastleThe League B draw is about to get underway, and that means Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are about to discover their opponents for the 2025/26 Nations League campaign.
Here are how the pots look:
Pot 1: Scotland, Hungary, Poland, Israel
Pot 2: Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Ukraine
Pot 3: Slovenia, Georgia, Republic of Ireland, Romania
Pot 4: Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Kosovo
.jpeg)
League C draw
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:31 , Will CastleGroup C1
Albania 🇦🇱
Finland 🇫🇮
Belarus 🇧🇾
San Marino 🇸🇲
Group C2
Montenegro 🇲🇪
Armenia 🇦🇲
Cyprus 🇨🇾
Gibraltar 🇬🇮 or Latvia 🇱🇻
Group C3
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Slovakia 🇸🇰
Faroe Islands 🇫🇴
Moldova 🇲🇩
Group C4
Iceland 🇮🇸
Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Estonia 🇪🇪
Malta 🇲🇹 or Luxembourg 🇱🇺
Fernando Llorente on League C ball-shuffling duty
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:25 , Will CastleHere’s former Tottenham and Swansea striker Fernando Llorente to do the honours!
Why are Latvia, Gibraltar, Luxembourg and Malta in both Leagues C and D?
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:24 , Will CastleQuick thing to note, if not spotted.
The ranking of the teams in 49th to 52nd position will be confirmed following the 2024/25 UNL League C/D play-offs in March 2026.
For the draw, the teams participating in these play-off ties - Latvia, Gibraltar, Luxembourg and Malta - will be represented by placeholders.
The winners of the ties will move into the League C placeholders, while the losers will drop into League D.
League C next
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:21 , Will CastleHere are the teams and pots making up League C:
Pot 1: Iceland, Albania, Montenegro, Kazakhstan
Pot 2: Finland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Armenia
Pot 3: Belarus, Faroe Islands, Cyprus, Estonia
Pot 4: Latvia or Gibraltar, Luxembourg or Malta, Moldova, San Marino
League D draw
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:21 , Will CastleGroup D1
Gibraltar 🇬🇮 or Latvia 🇱🇻
Malta 🇲🇹 or Luxembourg 🇱🇺
Andorra 🇦🇩
Group D2
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
Liechtenstein 🇱🇮
And we're off!
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:17 , Will CastleWe’ll be starting with League D...
These are the teams in the pots:
Pot 1: Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Gibraltar or Latvia, Malta or Luxembourg
Pot 2: Liechtenstein, Andorra
Almost draw time
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:13 , Will CastleUefa are now just running through the technical procedure of the draw.
We’ll be getting underway after that (we think).
Who are the current holders?
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:10 , Will CastlePortugal go into the 2026/27 as the reigning champions, having secured the 2024/25 trophy after a penalty shootout win over European champions Spain in June of last year.
The Selecao became the first team to win the tournament twice, and both sides will be among the favourites as the tournament begins again in September.
Which nations are involved?
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:08 , Will CastleLeague C
Pot 1: Iceland, Albania, Montenegro, Kazakhstan
Pot 2: Finland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Armenia
Pot 3: Belarus, Faroe Islands, Cyprus, Estonia
Pot 4: Latvia or Gibraltar, Luxembourg or Malta, Moldova, San Marino
League D
Pot 1: Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Gibraltar or Latvia, Malta or Luxembourg
Pot 2: Liechtenstein, Andorra
N.B. The ranking of the teams in 49th to 52nd position will be confirmed following the 2024/25 UNL League C/D play-offs in March 2026. For the draw, the teams participating in these play-off ties will be represented by placeholders.
Which nations are involved?
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:07 , Will CastleLeague A
Pot 1: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany
Pot 2: Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia
Pot 3: Serbia, Belgium, England, Norway
Pot 4: Wales, Czechia, Greece, Türkiye
League B
Pot 1: Scotland, Hungary, Poland, Israel
Pot 2: Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Ukraine
Pot 3: Slovenia, Georgia, Republic of Ireland, Romania
Pot 4: Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Kosovo
How does the draw work?
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:03 , Will CastleThe 54 participating nations are divided into four leagues, based on the Access List and depending on the results of the 2024/25 UNL League C/D play-offs in March 2026.
The League A, B and C draws each determine four groups of four teams. Each team plays six matches in their group – home and away against the other three nations.
The League D draw determines two groups of three teams. Each team plays four matches in their group – home and away against the other two nations.
There are some specific draw conditions to note. Firstly, Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot de drawn against Kosovo, and there is also a restriction on excessive travel and winter venues.
This means nations who are too far apart cannot be drawn to face each other – for example, Iceland could not face Armenia, and the Faroe Islands cannot be drawn against Kazakhstan – and countries at risk of severe winter conditions can only be drawn against one other such country in the same group.
Here we go!
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:01 , Will CastleThe ceremony is kicking off with a human lights show. Just what the doctor ordered.
I think there’s no better time for a reminder on how this whole thing will work...
Closing in on the start of the ceremony
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:57 , Will CastleJust a couple minutes until the Nations League draw ceremony gets underway!
Let’s see if Uefa get on with proceedings sharpish, or whether they painfully drag it out a la Fifa at the Kennedy Center.
The truth behind Real Madrid’s climbdown over doomed Super League
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:52 , Miguel DelaneyThe Uefa Executive Committee were already 20 minutes late, with some more aggrieved stakeholders aggravated, when the reasons suddenly became clear. President Aleksander Ceferin and European Football Clubs [EFC] chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi walked in with a flourish. They could announce that Real Madrid were returning to the fold, again becoming members of the EFC, the lobby group that used to be known as the European Club Association.
For many, this was obviously presented as an unprecedented Florentino Perez climbdown, the ultimate defeat of the Super League. Al-Khelaifi even felt the need to add that, if anyone thought Perez “lost”, “they are stupid and know absolutely nothing about football”.
That’s one area where he’s right. The only way you could believe that Perez has “lost” is if you see the ill-fated project as the be-all and end-all. There is instead another, more important perspective, which the Super League has served in shifting. The project was actually just one manifestation of a wider attempt from the big clubs to control the club game. That’s what Perez always wanted.
The truth behind Real Madrid’s climbdown over doomed Super League
Thomas Tuchel on contract extension in 'dream' England job
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:46 , Will Castle“I am very happy and proud to extend my time with England,” Tuchel said.
“It is no secret to anyone that I have loved every minute so far of working with my players and coaches, and I cannot wait to lead them to the World Cup. It is an incredible opportunity and we are going to do our very best to make the country proud.
“I have had so much support from Mark (Bullingham, Football Association CEO), all my colleagues at The FA and from fans wherever I go that I did not hesitate when asked to continue in this dream job.
“Euro 2028 will be a very special tournament and as a coach there is nothing more you want than to compete with the very best on the biggest possible stage.”
Thomas Tuchel extends England contract to rule himself out of Man United job
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:38 , Will CastleIn case you missed the news earlier...
Thomas Tuchel has extended his contract with England through to Euro 2028, staying as manager beyond this summer’s World Cup.
The German was appointed as England boss in January 2025 following Gareth Southgate’s departure after Euro 2024, with Under-21 manager Lee Carsley filling the gap in the interim role for four months.
Tuchel’s contract was due to expire after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but his stay with England has now been prolonged for another two years.
It means Tuchel will lead the Three Lions into a home Euros, something the former Chelsea manager views as an unprecedented opportunity, with the 2028 edition being hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, culminating in a final at Wembley.
Thomas Tuchel extends England contract to rule himself out of Man United job
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and go beyond the game with exclusive insights
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:32 , Miguel DelaneyPacked with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney’s reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and more.
The football fixture calendar is relentless, and the news cycle feels nonstop – spanning everything from results and matches to tactics, competitions, transfers, politics, global expansion, and even the geopolitics and greater forces now reshaping how the very sport is played.
In short, there’s a lot to keep up with – and to make sense of. That’s where my new newsletter Inside Football comes in.
Landing in your inbox every Monday and Friday, Inside Football delivers insight, opinion, and the under-the-radar details you love.
World Cup 2026 fixtures: Full schedule after match dates, venues and kick-off times confirmed
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:26 , Chris WilsonThe Nations League might be the focus this evening but there’s the small issue of a World Cup to deal with beforehand this summer...
The 2026 World Cup draw has been made and the fixtures have now been locked in as Fifa’s giant tournament – both in geography and the sheer volume of football – finally takes shape.
The World Cup will be played across Mexico, Canada and the USA in an expanded format with 48 teams included for the first time. They have been split across 12 groups of four, with the top two progressing automatically to the knockout stages and the eight best third-placed teams also going through to the round of 32.
England have been drawn in Group L and will meet Croatia in their first game of the tournament, before taking on Ghana and Panama. Scotland meanwhile face Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in a competitive Group C.
World Cup 2026 fixtures: Full schedule, match dates and venues
Nations League 2026/27 dates
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:16 , Chris WilsonMatchday 1: 24-26 September 2026
Matchday 2: 27-29 September 2026
Matchday 3: 30 September-3 October 2026* (may exceptionally be used to schedule Matchday 3 fixtures)
Matchday 4: 4-6 October 2026
Matchday 5: 12-14 November 2026
Matchday 6: 15-17 November 2026
League A quarter-finals: 25-30 March 2027
League A/B and B/C play-offs: 25-30 March 2027
Final tournament: 9-13 June 2027
League C/D play-offs: 23-28 March 2028
Which nations are involved?
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:09 , Chris WilsonLeague C
Pot 1: Iceland, Albania, Montenegro, Kazakhstan
Pot 2: Finland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Armenia
Pot 3: Belarus, Faroe Islands, Cyprus, Estonia
Pot 4: Latvia or Gibraltar, Luxembourg or Malta, Moldova, San Marino
League D
Pot 1: Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Gibraltar or Latvia, Malta or Luxembourg
Pot 2: Liechtenstein, Andorra
N.B. The ranking of the teams in 49th to 52nd position will be confirmed following the 2024/25 UNL League C/D play-offs in March 2026. For the draw, the teams participating in these play-off ties will be represented by placeholders.
Which nations are involved?
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:02 , Chris WilsonLeague A
Pot 1: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany
Pot 2: Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia
Pot 3: Serbia, Belgium, England, Norway
Pot 4: Wales, Czechia, Greece, Türkiye
League B
Pot 1: Scotland, Hungary, Poland, Israel
Pot 2: Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Ukraine
Pot 3: Slovenia, Georgia, Republic of Ireland, Romania
Pot 4: Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Kosovo
How does the draw work?
Thursday 12 February 2026 15:55 , Chris WilsonThe 54 participating nations are divided into four leagues, based on the Access List and depending on the results of the 2024/25 UNL League C/D play-offs in March 2026.
The League A, B and C draws each determine four groups of four teams. Each team plays six matches in their group – home and away against the other three nations.
The League D draw determines two groups of three teams. Each team plays four matches in their group – home and away against the other two nations.
There are some specific draw conditions to note. Firstly, Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot de drawn against Kosovo, and there is also a restriction on excessive travel and winter venues.
This means nations who are too far apart cannot be drawn to face each other – for example, Iceland could not face Armenia, and the Faroe Islands cannot be drawn against Kazakhstan – and countries at risk of severe winter conditions can only be drawn against one other such country in the same group.
When is the Nations League draw?
Thursday 12 February 2026 15:47 , Chris WilsonThe draw is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 12 February at 6pm CET in Brussels, Belgium.
How can I watch it?
The draw will be shown live across Uefa’s channels, and users can stream for free on the Uefa YouTube channel and the website.
2026/27 Nations League draw live
Thursday 12 February 2026 15:40 , Chris WilsonThe draw for the league phase of the 2026/27 Nations League takes place today, with teams including England, Spain and defending champions Portugal waiting to learn their opponents for the next edition.
The Selecao secured the 2024/25 trophy after a penalty shootout win over European champions Spain in June of last year, and both sides will be among the favourites as the tournament begins again in September.
Thomas Tuchel’s England side will hope to win the tournament for the first time in 2027, and though the impending World Cup is very much at the forefront of the Three Lions’ thoughts, they will hope to go far in the Nations League for the first time, with the potential that the tournament is linked to the qualification process for Euro 2028.
While the draw takes place this afternoon, the first matches of the tournament won’t be played until later this year, with matchday one scheduled for the week of 24 to 26 September 2026.
Good afternoon
Thursday 12 February 2026 15:31 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of this evening’s draw for the 2026/27 Nations League.
England and Wales wait to learn their League A opponents for the fifth edition of the tournament, while Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will learn who they’ll face in League B.
And we’ll have all the latest updates right here.
