The best players in Europe – Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and many more – will be back in action as the UEFA Nations League returns later this week.
And while all 54 qualified UEFA teams will play during the break, the biggest teams (think England, France, Spain) are in the competition’s League A. All teams have two matches remaining in the group stage and will battle for the eight quarter-final places in March.
Here’s where things stand:
Let’s dive into the biggest stories and what to look forward to as the UEFA Nations League graces us with its return.
England first play Croatia, while Spain face the Czech Republic on Thursday, but we know what to expect.
Sunday’s game is arguably the biggest game of the Nations League window as the reigning World Cup champions – currently on a 42-game unbeaten run and 11 straight wins – await third place from last summer’s tournament at home to Atlético de Madrid.
After September’s 3-2 victory for La Roja against the Three Lions at Wembley, let’s hope for a similarly entertaining match. It is very difficult to think it will be anything less simply because there is so much quality on the pitch. From Pedri to Jude Bellingham, Nico Williams and Anthony Gordon – potential threats come from all over the pitch.
Spainvs.England
The Sun, November 15|Madrid
UEFA Nations League · League A, Group 3
Three players to watch
International career statistics
Then there is the Ballon d’Or narrative as Lamine Yamal finished third in the voting behind the winner, Harry Kane. Of course, 19-year-old Yamal (who won’t suit up for Spain’s game against the Czech Republic due to injury) will be aiming to make a statement and prove to his nation why he probably deserves the title of best player in the game. But Kane, England’s all-time top scorer, who has six goals in his last four Nations League games, will not be sitting on the sidelines.
This is such a delicious match and these two teams could meet once more if they make it to the final four of the Nations League next summer. And with all due respect to a loaded France squad, I think this could just be the final for Euro 2028 to be held in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
2.
… But don’t forget about France
So let’s talk about that loaded squad for France. For all his legendary aura, Zinedine Zidane has a tough act to follow as coach of powerhouse France. His predecessor, Didier Deschamps, led the country to perhaps its most successful era, a 14-year era during which Les Bleus reached the World Cup semi-finals three times – winning the 2018 edition and losing the epic 2022 final to Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Zinedine Zidane, coach of France. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Deschamps’ greatest strength as a leader was his ability to manage massive egos and avoid the kind of drama that bedeviled past French teams, despite their embarrassment of elite talent. Zidane did well in this regard in charge of Real Madrid; This is proven by his three medals in the Champions League. And so it has been with France until now.
Kylian Mbappé Michael Olise
107display29
67goals11
38assists11
International career statistics
Next for France
Ital2:45 pm ET
Turkey2:45 pm ETIn four games since replacing his former France and Juventus team-mate, Zidane has sparked match-winning performances from his two best players, with Kylian Mbappe scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win in Turkey and fellow Ballon d’Or nominee Michael Olise netting four times in France’s last three outings. He will hope that continues this Thursday in Italy and in Sunday’s second leg with Turkey in Bordeaux.
3.
Portugal’s new era with Ronaldo now retired
This is a new page for Portugal. A new era. And I understand the emotional connotations that come with saying goodbye to an icon, but as far as Jorge Jesus and his team are concerned, this is now an opportunity to evolve the national team and finally turn it into a legitimate contender for Euro 2028 and the World Cup 2030, which the country will co-host.
Portugal
First in group A4|4-0-0, 12 points
In continuation
Denmark2:45 pm ET
Wales2:45 pm ETNew blood like Gustavo Varela, Monza’s 21-year-old striker (currently leading Serie A with 9 goals) and Roma’s 19-year-old striker Rodrigo Mora, are examples of this evolution.
But it is now up to existing leaders such as Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Dias and Rúben Neves to take up Ronaldo’s mantle and set a new precedent as Portugal prepare for Nations League games against Denmark and Wales. Now it’s about a fluid system where the team doesn’t have a target man who slowed them down as they entered the final third.
With so many weapons, I think Portugal – and I don’t say this lightly – can become a legitimate contender in Europe. This team (with Ronaldo) won the Nations League last year, but it is time to take the next step and create a new identity.
4.
Things to look for in Italy?
For the Azzurri, the only way to go is up. Four-time World Cup champions Italy hit rock bottom last March when they failed to qualify for football’s signature tournament for the third time in a row. An entire generation of country players, including Nicolò Barella, Sandro Tonali and all-world goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, have never appeared on the biggest stage.
Nicolò Barrella and Italy lost the World Cup. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
But there is reason for cautious optimism now that veteran coach Roberto Mancini has returned to his former role. Mancini guided Italy to a European title in 2021 – leading England to the final at Wembley Stadium – and a pair of third-place finishes in the Nations League.
The Azzurri have gone 4-1-1 since that crushing defeat in World Cup qualifying in Bosnia and Herzegovina last spring, a run highlighted by a 4-1 win away to Turkey.
Ital
Second in group A1|2-1-1, 7 points
In continuation
France2:45 pm ET
Belgium2:45 pm ETThis month’s chart will reveal more. Italy host France on Thursday in their penultimate group stage match of the current Nations League season; a win would pull Donnarumma & Co. in a first-place tie with Les Bleus. They will then end 2026 with a trip to Brussels to face Belgium, which could decide which side goes through to the quarter-finals in March. After a difficult year, Italy fans will be hoping that this team ends it strong.
5.
Haaland can continue to shine for Norway
The Norwegian striker made quite a global statement last summer at the World Cup, helping his national team reach the first quarter-final before losing to England. The Manchester City man scored seven goals in five games, but more importantly, it was his free-spirited personality – combined with his lethal approach on the pitch – that made him a fan favourite.
In the Nations League, Haaland leads the all-time scoring list with 22 goals and in 2024, against Slovenia, he became his country’s record scorer. The speedy striker so far and prolific striker has 65 goals in 59 international matches. That’s just a ridiculous number and with the upcoming games against Wales and Denmark, it will continue to grow.
Erling Haaland
Norway’s all-time leading scorer
59display
65goals
7assists
1.10Goals per match
International career statistics
Next for Norway
WalesNoon ETDenmark2:45 pm ETWe are witnessing an international development of great proportions. With Ronaldo and Messi now retired, Haaland (along with Kane and Mbappé) are the goalscoring titans to keep an eye on during this window. And that means he is likely to put his Norwegian team-mates on his back and will them to victories over Wales and Denmark. They are bottom of their group, making both of these games essentially must-wins to reach the Nations League quarter-finals.
