League phase begins September 24 as Portugal defend the Nations League title
The 2026–27 UEFA Nations League kicks off in the September window, with reigning champions Portugal chasing a first-ever back-to-back title after last season's penalty-shootout thriller against Spain.
Six matchdays before the knockouts
The league phase runs September 24 – November 17, 2026 across six matchdays, with League A, B and C sides playing six games apiece and League D nations playing four. The top two in each League A group advance to the quarter-finals in March 2027, ahead of the Finals in June 2027.
Portugal's penalty-shootout triumph
Portugal beat Spain 5–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in the 2024–25 final at the Allianz Arena in Munich, becoming the competition's first two-time winners. Nuno Mendes and a Cristiano Ronaldo volley cancelled out early goals from Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzábal before Rúben Neves converted the decisive spot-kick.
Ronaldo's record night
At 40 years old, Ronaldo became the oldest player to both feature in and score in a Nations League final, extending a international career that now stretches into a new Nations League cycle as Portugal target a first successful defence of the trophy.
What's next
Portugal's League A group and the rest of the 2026–27 fixture list are confirmed, with Matchday 1 kicking off September 24. MatchdayX will carry live coverage throughout the league phase.
Sources: UEFA, July 2026.