With the World Cup still on the horizon, attention is already turning to the future of European international soccer: the UEFA Nations League. The competition will resume September 23 to November 16, 2026, and will mark the start of a new era for Les Bleus, as Didier Deschamps is set to step down as France’s head coach following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
UEFA is using its 50th congress in Brussels to conduct the draw for the upcoming edition. France, having finished third in 2025 and winning the tournament in 2021, was placed in Pot 1 alongside Germany, reigning champions Portugal, and finalist Spain. The competition promises to be fierce, with a high level of talent vying for qualification.
France Drawn with Italy and Belgium
The top two teams from each League A group will advance to the quarterfinals (March 25-30, 2027). The third-place team will enter a relegation playoff, even as the fourth-place team will be relegated to League B. In League B, the group winner will be promoted to League A, the second-place team will compete in a promotion playoff, the third-place team will play in a relegation playoff, and the last-place team will be relegated. League C sees the winner promoted, the second-place team enter a playoff, and the third-place team maintain their status, while the bottom two teams are relegated.
For France, the draw presents a familiar challenge. They will face Italy and Belgium once again, mirroring the previous edition. Replacing Israel in the group is Turkey, recently promoted to League A. This is a favorable outcome for the French squad, as they avoid a potentially tougher opponent from Pot 3, namely England. The Three Lions will compete against Spain, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, in Group 2, Germany will take on the Netherlands, Serbia, and Greece, while Portugal will face Denmark, Norway, and Wales in Group 4.
The Full UEFA Nations League Draw:
League A:
Group 1:
- France
- Italy
- Belgium
- Turkey
Group 2:
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Serbia
- Greece
Group 3:
- Spain
- Croatia
- England
- Czech Republic
Group 4:
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Norway
- Wales
League B:
Group 1:
- Scotland
- Switzerland
- Slovenia
- North Macedonia
Group 2:
- Hungary
- Ukraine
- Georgia
- Northern Ireland
Group 3:
- Israel
- Austria
- Republic of Ireland
- Kosovo
Group 4:
- Poland
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Romania
- Sweden
League C:
Group 1:
- Albania
- Finland
- Belarus
- San Marino
Group 2:
- Montenegro
- Armenia
- Cyprus
- Latvia or Gibraltar
Group 3:
- Kazakhstan
- Slovakia
- Faroe Islands
- Moldova
Group 4:
- Iceland
- Bulgaria
- Estonia
- Luxembourg or Malta
League D:
Group 1:
- Gibraltar or Latvia
- Malta or Luxembourg
- Andorra
Group 2:
- Azerbaijan
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
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