⚽UEFA Nations League⚽ - Discussion Thread

[cygan]

since i couldn't find a general discussion thread for this competition using the search function and only saw threads that were intended for a specific season, i have now created this thread in which future nations league competitions will also be published and, of course, discussed.

and just in time, the draw for the 2026/27 season took place yesterday. this is how the groups in the respective leagues look:
in group a4, there will be a clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland and group a1 is in my opinion, the strongest group... what are your opinions?

[Lucius]

~snip~
since i couldn't find a general discussion thread for this competition using the search function and only saw threads that were intended for a specific season, i have now created this thread in which future nations league competitions will also be published and, of course, discussed.

I think this is a bad idea, and that each season of this competition should have its own topic which should be locked after the end of the competition. Otherwise you will have a mega-spam thread with hundreds of pages.


As for the competition, there is no doubt that groups A1-A4 are full of attractive teams that should show good football. The most interesting group for me is the one in which my national team is, and it seems that Croatia cannot do without England (in the same group at the 2026 World Cup), and without Spain, with whom it played in the final of this competition.

However, it should be emphasized that this competition will not start until the end of September 2026, so some things will be much clearer after the World Cup.

[Lida93]

It's interesting to have the like of Spain, England and other European top nations in one group, this means there's going to be a healthy competition in such group.

I think this is one of the competitions created by the Uefa president in order to give some sense of belonging to the other countries who hardly make it to the Europe nations cup which is usually held every four years, but some how, this nations league becomes a menace to the players as it has increased the work load of the players who already have lots of games to play every season.

[KTChampions]

since i couldn't find a general discussion thread for this competition using the search function and only saw threads that were intended for a specific season, i have now created this thread in which future nations league competitions will also be published and, of course, discussed.

and just in time, the draw for the 2026/27 season took place yesterday. this is how the groups in the respective leagues look:
in group a4, there will be a clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland and group a1 is in my opinion, the strongest group... what are your opinions?

The square arrangement of the groups initially broke my brain 
Honestly, I completely forgot that the group composition is reset by the draw (I think this is the first time this has happened? If so, I just didn’t know it at first). In my mind, this should only happen through rotation between leagues in the form of relegation/promotion and playoffs.
Haaland vs. Ronaldo is certainly a big deal, but Haaland vs. Mbappe is probably more relevant.
In my opinion, the strongest group is A3. Spain is equal to France, and England and Croatia are slightly stronger than Italy and Belgium, which are in decline. The Czech Republic is also stronger than Turkey.

[Distraction]

We are done for it!    Türkiye is really unlucky with the draw. We are just in one of the most difficult groups in League A. The other one is A3 but I think ours is even harder than that...

I don't think we are performing that good to beat any of our opponents. At least in away matches I don't expect a point. But at home maybe we can get some points from Italy and Belgium. That would be the best case scenario.

[Joy_learns_crypto]

Since this is a year for the FIFA World Cup Uefa should have just shifted the Nations league. I did not think the draw made any attention, this is my first time seeing the draw.
The world has already taking the break after the season ends and by August season begins with more games now in the Uefa champions league maybe a year 2026 without the nations league can help players rest.

[Lucius]

Since this is a year for the FIFA World Cup Uefa should have just shifted the Nations league.
~snip~

You may not know it yet, but football is played for money these days - which means that FIFA or UEFA don't care whether the players manage to rest or not - because if they did they wouldn't have invented this competition. This is in a way a version of the European Football Championship, and because of that it doesn't have much resonance in other parts of the world.

[Joy_learns_crypto]

Since this is a year for the FIFA World Cup Uefa should have just shifted the Nations league.
~snip~

You may not know it yet, but football is played for money these days - which means that FIFA or UEFA don't care whether the players manage to rest or not - because if they did they wouldn't have invented this competition. This is in a way a version of the European Football Championship, and because of that it doesn't have much resonance in other parts of the world.

I do know that football is about money, but a year without the Uefa nations league won’t make UEFA broke.
Football is played for money but also doing it with the consideration of the players a bit can even make more money as players will be fit and not miss matches.
Besides the UCL is a giving good money to Uefa and they can sacrifice the nations league this year.

[Agbamoni]

Groups A1, A3, and A4 are the most entertaining groups.

Obviosuly Turkiye, Czechia, and Wales will be eliminated from that group after all games have been played.

Teams that will finish first in that group are France, England, and Portugal.

[Sandra_hakeem]

We are done for it!    Türkiye is really unlucky with the draw. We are just in one of the most difficult groups in League A. The other one is A3 but I think ours is even harder than that...

So, you think it's not a balanced arrangement this time around because your country is among those daredevils??

I don't think we are performing that good to beat any of our opponents. At least in away matches I don't expect a point. But at home maybe we can get some points from Italy and Belgium. That would be the best case scenario.

Don't even start mentioning teams that you feel are more vulnerable to your level of winnings... You might just be making baseless assumptions as every team has improved its technicalities this time around, especially teams that needs to take advantage of securing themselves a spot in the play offs for the upcoming World cup/ Euros.

[Lucius]

The first Nations League matches are scheduled for September 24, so it's a good time to bring up this topic. After the world championship, this is certainly one of the competitions that will bring together the strongest national teams in Europe, so I have no doubt that we will have a lot of good matches.

Of course, the matches in the strongest group A will be watched the most, especially the one in which Spain and England, who won medals at the last world championship, are playing. The weakest opponent in that group is the Czech Republic, which will battle Croatia for third place.

As for Croatia, trophy-winning head coach Zlatko Dalić left after nine years, and Slaven Bilić took over. He has already managed Croatia in the past and is the only head coach who failed to take the team to the World Cup; in my opinion, he is a very poor choice because he has shown himself to be an incompetent coach, whether at the club or national team level.

Believe it or not, Luka Modrić continues to play for Croatia; he recently celebrated his 41st birthday.

[KTChampions]

The first Nations League matches are scheduled for September 24, so it's a good time to bring up this topic. After the world championship, this is certainly one of the competitions that will bring together the strongest national teams in Europe, so I have no doubt that we will have a lot of good matches.

Of course, the matches in the strongest group A will be watched the most, especially the one in which Spain and England, who won medals at the last world championship, are playing. The weakest opponent in that group is the Czech Republic, which will battle Croatia for third place.
~

Surprisingly, for me, there are several extremely interesting matches on each matchday: Netherlands vs. Germany, what will Klopp show? Norway vs. Denmark: Will Haaland continue to score more than a goal per game? Italy vs. Belgium: let's see how Italy performs against a strong opponent, they need victories desperately after missing yet another World Cup. England vs. Spain is the icing on the cake, and I would also view it as a battle between contenders for the Ballon d'Or 

[Rashlyowl]

The first Nations League matches are scheduled for September 24, so it's a good time to bring up this topic. After the world championship, this is certainly one of the competitions that will bring together the strongest national teams in Europe, so I have no doubt that we will have a lot of good matches.

Of course, the matches in the strongest group A will be watched the most, especially the one in which Spain and England, who won medals at the last world championship, are playing. The weakest opponent in that group is the Czech Republic, which will battle Croatia for third place.

As for Croatia, trophy-winning head coach Zlatko Dalić left after nine years, and Slaven Bilić took over. He has already managed Croatia in the past and is the only head coach who failed to take the team to the World Cup; in my opinion, he is a very poor choice because he has shown himself to be an incompetent coach, whether at the club or national team level.

Believe it or not, Luka Modrić continues to play for Croatia; he recently celebrated his 41st birthday.

That's right, I'm also looking forward to the matches in that group bros. I consider all the teams in that group to be strong, but regarding the top three contenders, I'm sure they will be Spain, England & Croatia. I believe Spain will take the top spot based on what they demonstrated at the World Cup, they currently deserve to reign supreme in European competitions.

[Ryu_Ar1]

and just in time, the draw for the 2026/27 season took place yesterday. this is how the groups in the respective leagues look:
in group a4, there will be a clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland and group a1 is in my opinion, the strongest group... what are your opinions?

The Format looks strange when looking at A1,A2 etc but after further reading it turns out that it looks not much different from the competition in general.

Haaland and Cristiano still remain a very decent thing it seems even though in terms of age and performance are a little different but Norway's meeting which is currently developing very well with Portugal who are always the favorites mostly because Cristiano certainly provides good entertainment.

For A1 there are a lot of clashes here but looking at how they performed in the last World Cup it looks like this is just a collection of big names with a slump in form (except France).
It's just worth noting that this is the Nations League even though it's an official competition but it's still euphoria and how each team does the match is not as all out as other competitions (euros or World Cups).

[Taricoins]

Are you sure this is the right selections for the grouping in the group stage ? Maybe I have to go and find out for myself because seeing this stuff and the draws is really wild, how can all the top teams be concentrated from at the top.



Take a look at this group C's and D's, I can't even picture a top player that plays for those country, losing all the top teams  in the group stage like from the table A1 will make the rest tournament predictable.

[BitBakerr1]

We are done for it!    Türkiye is really unlucky with the draw. We are just in one of the most difficult groups in League A. The other one is A3 but I think ours is even harder than that...

I don't think we are performing that good to beat any of our opponents. At least in away matches I don't expect a point. But at home maybe we can get some points from Italy and Belgium. That would be the best case scenario.

it is actually a very difficult group, don’t be surprised that you guys are actually going to come out from this group, football is sometimes unpredictable and the things you may be expecting to happen may not, just be calm because everything may actually work out for good and in favor of Türkiye

Türkiye should just put in their best, one of the things that usually make some team lose is fear, they should remove fear from their mind and go into the competition with high hopes.

[Stepstowealth]

Surprisingly, for me, there are several extremely interesting matches on each matchday: Netherlands vs. Germany, what will Klopp show?

Big expectations for Klopp and his time with Germany, and being his first game as manager, a win and a dominant performance will be a good statement to start up his career there.

Norway vs. Denmark: Will Haaland continue to score more than a goal per game?

There is no stopping Haaland in my opinion, And also coupled with the playing form that Martin Odegaard is on I believe it's going to complement the goal scoring ability of Haaland, giving Norway the edge in this game against Denmark.

Italy vs. Belgium: let's see how Italy performs against a strong opponent, they need victories desperately after missing yet another World Cup.

I think missing out on the World Cup is going to be a real motivating factor for Italy and so I believe that because they have the home advantage they will also be able to defeat Belgium.

England vs. Spain is the icing on the cake, and I would also view it as a battle between contenders for the Ballon d'Or 

Because of how tactically brilliant the Spaniards are, I believe that they are still going to win this game against England because they did not win the World Cup by mistake but won from total control and dominance in every game they played. It is going to be a tough game, but Spain will be winners at the end.

[Joy_learns_crypto]

The nations league again, not the euros but still on its own rights very entertaining and exciting, although in the general landscape of trophy pedigree I think it matter not so much.
The season has started in flying colors and teams like Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester city, inter Milan, Dortmund, Roma, Freiburg has all won their matches, this international break may be the reason some of this teams will start to lose points due to injuries they may get from this upcoming games.

[LTU_btc]

Not going to lie - I'm not excited about Nations League window. I have nothing against World Cup/EURO qualifers window, but Nations League is waste of time IMO. And this time break will be longer than ever - from 211st September to 6th of October. So, more than 2 weeks without club football.

Are you sure this is the right selections for the grouping in the group stage ? Maybe I have to go and find out for myself because seeing this stuff and the draws is really wild, how can all the top teams be concentrated from at the top.
Take a look at this group C's and D's, I can't even picture a top player that plays for those country, losing all the top teams  in the group stage like from the table A1 will make the rest tournament predictable.

Seems that you you're not familiar with Nations League format at all. It's promotion/relegation based tournament. Strongest teams earned their spots in top divisions, while all these weaker teams is fighting to get promotion to higher league.

[yixichloro2xx]

Are you sure this is the right selections for the grouping in the group stage ? Maybe I have to go and find out for myself because seeing this stuff and the draws is really wild, how can all the top teams be concentrated from at the top.



Take a look at this group C's and D's, I can't even picture a top player that plays for those country, losing all the top teams  in the group stage like from the table A1 will make the rest tournament predictable.

Imagine each groups are divisions so the A's is the top/highest division whereby the top 2 teams in all A group will automatically qualify to the quarter final (knockout stages). Where the team that took 4th position in each A's will automatically relegated to group B's. The the top 2 teams in group B's, C's, and D's will automatically promote each to the group above them for example Top 2 teams in C's will promote to Group B's.  Likewise teams that relegate will also go down to the lower group. So for now the main Nations league competition is just between the teams in Group A's, because that's where we are going to know the winner of the competition. So in summary the group B, C, and D can't qualify to the knockout round.