The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League will begin with several of Europe’s leading national teams entering a new era, as eight League A sides prepare to unveil new coaches during the opening matchday.
Among the biggest names taking charge are former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp with Germany, Barcelona great Xavi Hernández with the Netherlands, France legend Zinédine Zidane and Roberto Mancini, who is returning for a second spell with Italy.
The competition’s first round of matches will be played from September 24 to 26, with several of the new appointments immediately facing high-profile opponents.
KLOPP AND XAVI START WITH A BLOCKBUSTER
Klopp will make his first appearance as a national-team coach when Germany face the Netherlands on September 24, beginning a new chapter after more than two decades in club management.
The German previously spent nine years at Liverpool, where he won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League the following season, after earlier guiding Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League final.
Klopp described the Germany appointment as “the pinnacle, the absolutely high point of my footballing career as coach”, adding, “I will give everything I have got.”
His opposite number will be Xavi, who brings extensive club and international experience to the Netherlands after winning eight league titles and four Champions League trophies as a Barcelona player.
The former Spain midfielder later moved into coaching, winning the Qatari league with Al-Sadd before leading Barcelona to the 2022/23 La Liga title.
Xavi has also spoken of his connection with Dutch football through the influence of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, saying, “I feel a special connection to Dutch football.”
ZIDANE RETURNS AS FRANCE COACH
Zidane will return to the international spotlight when France begin their campaign against Türkiye on September 25, marking his first competitive assignment since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
The former France midfielder won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 as a player before establishing himself as a successful coach at Real Madrid, where he led the club to three consecutive Champions League titles.
UEFA reported that Zidane turned down several club offers while waiting for the France position, with the Frenchman saying, “I had several offers from clubs in the last four to five years, but I turned them all down for France.”
Italy will also begin a second Mancini era when they meet Belgium on September 25, with the coach returning after previously leading the Azzurri from 2018 to 2023.
Mancini’s first spell included Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph and two third-place finishes in the Nations League, while his return will see him face Belgium, a side Italy defeated in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.
“I will try to make sure the team is so beautiful and plays so well that the fans fall in love with it,” Mancini said.
FOUR MORE NEW FACES
Belgium have appointed former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel, who previously coached PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp and will now take charge of a senior national team for the first time.
Van Bommel, who won 79 international caps and was part of the Netherlands side that reached the 2010 World Cup final, said, “Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential.”
Croatia, meanwhile, have brought back Slaven Bilić, who previously managed the national team from 2006 to 2012 and will begin his second spell against Czechia on September 26.
Bilić said, “I am genuinely happy to start this challenge and I feel fully prepared for it – as a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006, yet with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold, and successful.”
Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, will begin their title defence under Jorge Jesus against Wales, with the veteran coach arriving after winning league titles in Portugal, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
Czechia have also appointed Santi Denia, whose coaching career with Spain’s youth teams included European titles at Under-17 and Under-19 level before he guided Spain to Olympic gold at Paris 2024.
Denia said, “I’m delighted to be here. And I’m extremely motivated, because I see the chance to lead the Czech national team as a great opportunity. Czech football has a glorious history.”
OPENING ROUND SET FOR SEPTEMBER
The first matchday will also feature England against Spain on September 26, while Serbia meet Greece and Norway face Denmark on September 24.
The League A fixtures continue with Italy versus Belgium and Türkiye versus France on September 25, followed by Czechia against Croatia and England against Spain the following day.
The league phase runs until November 17, 2026, before the League A quarter-finals and promotion/relegation play-offs in March 2027, with the Nations League Finals scheduled for June 9 to 13, 2027.
