The 2026-27 UEFA Nations League kicks off with its first seven matches on September 23, 2026, marking the start of a transitional tournament that will ultimately reshape the competition’s structure from four leagues down to three by the 2028-29 season, according to the source material. The upcoming format overhaul will eliminate League D entirely and adjust promotion and relegation mechanics across the remaining tiers, altering how national teams qualify for future major tournaments.
League A Format Changes and Group Stage Schedule
League A features a streamlined relegation system for this cycle, dropping the number of direct demotions from four down to two. According to the source material, only the two fourth-placed teams with the lowest points across the four groups will drop directly into League B. The remaining two fourth-placed sides and the two third-placed teams with the worst records will contest relegation play-offs against the four runners-up from League B.
Italy enters the competition in League A Group 1 alongside France, Belgium, and Turkey. The Azzurri face a demanding autumn schedule under newly observed managerial setups across Europe, which include Jurgen Klopp taking charge of Germany and Zinedine Zidane leading France. Italy opens its campaign against Belgium in Rome on September 25, 2026, before traveling to face Turkey in Bursa on September 28 and France in Paris on October 2. The group stage concludes in November with fixtures against Turkey in Bologna on November 12 and an away match against Belgium in Brussels on November 15.
Transition to the Three-League Format in 2028
The ongoing 2026-27 edition serves as a bridge toward the 2028-29 restructure. Starting in 2028, the competition will drop League D and operate across just three leagues, each consisting of three groups of six teams rather than the previous four-team groups. To prepare for this shift, League C will see zero relegations during this transitional phase, while all six participants currently in League D will earn automatic promotion to League C.
For the remaining divisions, the top two finishers in each League A group advance to the quarterfinals scheduled for March 2027. Group winners in Leagues B and C earn direct promotion, while bottom-tier League B sides face group runners-up from League C in survival play-offs. Standings tiebreakers rely strictly on a ten-step criteria prioritizing head-to-head points, goal difference, and away goals before moving to overall group metrics and disciplinary points.
Play-Off Paths for Euro 2028 Qualification
Performance in the Nations League continues to provide a vital safety net for teams missing out on direct qualification for the European Championships. Based on tournament parameters, the final standings will allocate between four and nine additional play-off spots for Euro 2028, depending on how host nations perform in standard qualifying groups.
Broadcasting and Television Coverage
Fans across Italy and Europe have multiple options to watch the matches live. In Italy, all Azzurri fixtures air in the clear on Rai 1 and stream via RaiPlay. For other matches, Sky broadcasts three games daily through its ‘Diretta gol’ program on channel 251, with streaming available on SkyGo and Now. Selected marquee fixtures are also scheduled for free-to-air broadcast on TV8, Mediaset channels including Italia 1, Canale 20, and Canal, and digital platforms like SportMediaset and Mediaset Infinity.
Did You Know?
The elimination of League D in 2028 will condense UEFA’s international structure into three uniform tiers of 18 teams each, split evenly into three groups of six.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are relegated from League A in the 2026-27 Nations League?
Only two teams are directly relegated from League A to League B. Two other fourth-placed teams and two third-placed teams enter relegation play-offs against League B runners-up.
When does Italy play its group matches?
Italy’s group matches take place between September 25 and November 15, 2026, against Belgium, Turkey, and France.
Where can I watch the Nations League on television in Italy?
Italy matches are broadcast live on Rai 1. Other tournament matches are carried by Sky, TV8, and select Mediaset networks.
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