UEFA Nations League – England Set for Spain Rematch in 2026-27 Draw
UEFA Nations League – England will renew their rivalry with Spain in the 2026-27 edition of the UEFA Nations League after the two sides were drawn together in the group stage. The pairing revives memories of the Euro 2024 final, where Spain edged past England in Germany to claim the continental crown.
Brussels Draw Sets Stage for High-Profile Clashes
The official draw ceremony, held in Brussels on Thursday, mapped out the path for Europe’s leading national teams. England have been placed in League A’s Group A3 alongside Spain, Croatia and Czech Republic, forming one of the tournament’s most competitive pools.
Spain’s victory over England in the Euro 2024 final marked the final match of Gareth Southgate’s tenure. Since then, Thomas Tuchel has taken charge and recently extended his contract to oversee England’s campaign in the Nations League as well as preparations for the 2028 European Championship, which will be staged on home soil.
League A Features Heavyweight Encounters
Elsewhere in League A, defending champions Portugal were drawn into Group A4 with Denmark, Norway and Wales. France, Italy, Belgium and Turkey will contest Group A1, while Germany, Netherlands, Serbia and Greece make up Group A2.
The structure ensures that several former European champions and consistent contenders will face early tests, with the group winners advancing and the bottom teams battling relegation.
Scotland and Ireland Learn Their Fate in League B
In League B, Scotland have been placed in Group B1 together with Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia. Steve Clarke’s side will be aiming to secure promotion back to the top tier.
The Republic of Ireland find themselves in Group B3 with Israel, Austria and Kosovo. The draw comes against the backdrop of an ongoing disagreement between the Football Association of Ireland and the Israel Football Association. Last November, the FAI formally requested that UEFA consider suspending Israel from European competitions, citing concerns including the organisation of clubs in occupied Palestinian territories and issues related to anti-racism enforcement.
Despite that motion, the FAI has confirmed it will honour its Nations League fixtures as scheduled. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, have been assigned to Group B2 alongside Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia.
Lower Leagues Complete the Tournament Picture
League C will feature Albania, Finland, Belarus and San Marino in Group C1. Group C2 includes Montenegro, Armenia and Cyprus, with the fourth slot to be filled by either Latvia or Gibraltar. Kazakhstan, Slovakia, the Faroe Islands and Moldova form Group C3, while Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia and either Luxembourg or Malta make up Group C4.
League D, the fourth tier, consists of two smaller groups. One will include Latvia or Gibraltar, Luxembourg or Malta, and Andorra. The other brings together Lithuania, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein.
Tournament Timeline Confirmed
The group-stage matches are scheduled for the autumn international windows. Four rounds of fixtures will be played between late September and early October 2026, with the remaining two matches set for November.
The competition will move into the knockout phase in March 2027, when quarterfinals and promotion-relegation playoffs are due to take place. The tournament will conclude with the Nations League finals in June 2027.
With established powers and emerging teams spread across the divisions, the 2026-27 campaign promises a series of tightly contested encounters. For England and Spain, however, the spotlight will fall firmly on their latest meeting, a fixture that carries recent history and renewed ambition on both sides.