How does the League of Nations work and which teams compose each division?
UEFA confirmed the 2026-27 edition of the Liga das Nações, a competition that completes seven years by replacing friendly matches with real-world games. As 54 European selections are divided into four leagues (A, B, C and D), with promotion and relegation between them.
♪ I've been waiting for you ♪
A UEFA confirmed the start of the 2026-27 edition of the League of Nations, and doubtless that always comes back when a competition reaches it: after all, how does this tournament work? Created to replace friendly matches with games with real weight, a competição complete sete anos em 2026 e segue dividindo as seleções europeias em divisões, com promoção, rebaixamento e vaga garantida na briga por classificação à Eurocopa.
A source: why UEFA created the tournament
The Liga das Nações debuted in 2018 with a clear objective: to give competitiveness to FIFA stadiums that were previously occupied by low-intensity friendly matches.
In the first edition, Portugal lifted the trophy at home, beating the Netherlands in the final of the "Final Four" played in 2019. France took the title in 2021, Spain as of 2023 and Portugal returned to the top in 2025, defeating Spain by decision.
How it works: as four divisions in the upper and lower
The same structure has been maintained for 202627: the Commission is proposing to
- As 54 teams affiliated to UEFA are divided into Four leagues (A, B, C and D), according to the ranking of competition. As melhores ficam na Liga A; as mas fracas no ranking, na Liga D
- Within each league, teams play in groups with home and away matches spread over the international dates.
- The Liga A group leaders advance to the Final Four semi-finals, third place match and final, hosted in a country to be defined later that defines the champion.
- At the bottom of the pyramid, the worst teams in each group face relegation to a lower league, while the leaders from the lower leagues guarantee access.
This system of divisions is what gives emotion to the rounds: for minor selections, playing against powers like France, Germany and England has become a reality and unlike in an amistoso there's something about it.
O que está em jogo além da taça (What is at stake in this game)
Here is one of the most interesting points in Torcida: a Liga das Nações abre Road to the Euro Cup playoffs.As selecciones that não se classificam diretamente pelo eliminatorias tradicionais have, nas divisões da Liga das Nações, uma segunda chance de vaga o which já beneficiou seleções that dificilmente chegariam por mérito nos grupos classificatórios. The qualifying rounds of the UEFA Nations League will be played on a home-and-away basis with each team playing against other teams in their respective groups.
For the giants, a tournament also yields points not ranking FIFA, which defines draw pots, and functions as a thermometer for the coach in years of short cycle.
Where are we now?
With the 2026-27 edition about to begin, Portugal arrives as the current two-time champion of the tournament's modern era, and is once again asked if anyone can dethrone the Portuguese or Spain, finalist in 2025, finally becomes a favourite for the title.
This is the first time that this has happened.
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Source: BBC Sport Football
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