League of Nations: format, calendar, stars… Everything you need to know about the new edition

The League of Nations is back for another round. On the occasion of this (long) international break, the fifth edition of the European competition opens this Thursday. Here's everything you need to know.

What is the format of the competition?

Before a reform planned for 2028, the 2026-2027 Nations League divides 54 European nations into four leagues (16 teams in League A, B and C, 6 teams in League D). Each country faces each opponent in its group back and forth. In League A, where the leaders of the Old Continent feature, the first two in each group qualify for the quarter-finals, before a “Final Four” and a final designating the winner. The third in groups are forced to play a play-off against a second in League B while the fourth is relegated directly to the lower league.

This principle of up/down is the same for all Leagues, with each pool winner moving up to the next level. The group stage (six matches for each nation) therefore begins this Thursday, September 24 and ends between November 15 and 17. The quarter-finals will take place between March 25 and 30, 2027 before semi-finals and a final organized in June (9 to 13). For the Leagues A-B-C play-offs, see you also in March (from the 25th to the 30th).

Ronaldo, Haaland, Lamine Yamal… Who are the stars to follow?

For the stars and the glitterati, we must obviously turn to League A. In group 1, the Blues of Zinédine Zidane and their plethoric attack (Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé, Cherki…) will cross swords with a revanchist Italy and a rejuvenated Belgium around Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne (Godts, Fofana, Moreira, Lavia, Ngoy…). Turkey, led by Madrilenian Arda Güler, after his failure at the World Cup, completes the quartet.

In group 4, the Portugal of the eternal Cristiano Ronaldo, title holder, will notably face the Norway of Erling Haaland, sensation of the last World Cup. Another shock to follow, the Spanish world champions of Rodri and Lamine Yamal will challenge England of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane on Saturday, in group 3 where Luka Modric's Croatia is an outsider. Finally, in group 2, Germany now led by Jürgen Klopp will find the Netherlands, who are also launching a new era with Xavi Hernandez.

The composition of the groups in League A

Group 1: France, Italy, Belgium, Türkiye

Group 2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece

Group 3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia

Group 4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales

The program for the first day in League A

Thursday (8:45 p.m.): Serbia – Greece; Netherlands - Germany; Norway - Denmark; Portugal - Wales

Friday (8:45 p.m.): Türkiye – France; Italy - Belgium

Saturday (8:45 p.m.): Czech Republic – Croatia; England - Spain

Which team can create a surprise?

In League B, Georgia, coached by Willy Sagnol, and guided by its candidate for the Ballon d'Or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, could well find its way to the upper echelon by extricating itself from a homogeneous group 2 (with Hungary, Ukraine and Northern Ireland). But some spotlights will also be on Greece, promoted to League A in the group of Germany and the Netherlands.

The 46th nation in the FIFA rankings, which has not played an international competition since the 2014 World Cup, relies on an emerging generation with young talents with high market value: Christos Tzolis (24 years old, Arsenal), Konstantinos Karetsas (18 years old, Dortmund), Charalampos Kostoulas (19 years old, Brighton), Christos Mouzakitis (19 years old, Hull City) and Konstantinos Koulierakis (22 years old, AS Roma), to name a few. Coached by the Serbian Ivan Jovanovic, the Greek team won its accession play-off against Scotland during the last edition.