The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League will usher in a new era for several of Europe’s leading national teams, with eight coaches beginning fresh assignments as the competition gets underway.
Among the most prominent arrivals are former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp with Germany, Barcelona great Xavi Hernández with the Netherlands, France legend Zinédine Zidane and Roberto Mancini, who returns for a second spell in charge of Italy.
Portugal, Belgium, Croatia and Czechia will also begin their League A campaigns under new coaches as the international game takes centre stage during a 16-day break from European domestic football.
The opening matchday begins on Thursday, September 24, with several of the new appointments immediately facing high-profile opposition.
Jürgen Klopp — Germany
Klopp makes his first move into international management after more than two decades in club football.
The German spent nine years at Liverpool before leaving the Premier League club in 2024, winning the UEFA Champions League in the 2018/19 season and the Premier League title the following campaign.
Before his Liverpool success, Klopp established himself at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles and reached the 2013 Champions League final. He also guided Mainz to their first promotion to the Bundesliga in 2004.
Klopp has described the Germany job as the “pinnacle” of his coaching career and said he intends to give everything to the role.
His first Nations League assignment will be a heavyweight encounter against the Netherlands.
First match: Netherlands vs Germany — September 24
Xavi Hernández — Netherlands
Xavi brings an outstanding playing career and significant coaching experience to the Netherlands job.
The former Barcelona midfielder won eight league titles and four Champions League trophies during his 17 seasons with the Spanish giants.
With Spain, Xavi won EURO 2008 and EURO 2012, as well as the 2010 World Cup.
He began his coaching career with Al-Sadd in 2019, winning the Qatari league title before returning to Barcelona in 2021. Xavi subsequently guided Barcelona to the 2022/23 La Liga title.
His appointment also has a natural connection with Dutch football, given the influence of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels on Barcelona’s footballing philosophy.
Xavi’s first test comes against Klopp’s Germany.
First match: Netherlands vs Germany — September 24
Jorge Jesus — Portugal
Reigning Nations League champions Portugal begin their title defence under veteran coach Jorge Jesus.
The 72-year-old former midfielder built his reputation in Portugal, most notably during his successful spells with Benfica, where he won three league titles.
Jesus has also enjoyed success abroad, guiding Flamengo to the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores titles in 2019 before winning another league title in Saudi Arabia last season.
Cristiano Ronaldo was part of his Al Nassr squad during that successful campaign, with Jesus describing the Portugal captain as a symbol of Portuguese football.
The veteran coach has made his expectations clear, insisting that winning requires players and staff to be prepared to “pay the price”.
His first assignment will be against Wales.
First match: Portugal vs Wales — September 24
Zinédine Zidane — France
Zidane returns to the international spotlight as France coach with an extraordinary record as both player and manager.
The France legend scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final as Les Bleus won their first World Cup and was also part of the side that lifted EURO 2000.
As a coach, Zidane guided Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles after taking charge in 2016. He later returned for a second spell and won another La Liga title.
Zidane had remained away from club management since leaving Real Madrid, reportedly waiting for an opportunity to take charge of France.
His first competitive assignment will come away to Türkiye.
First match: Türkiye vs France — September 25
Roberto Mancini — Italy
Mancini returns for a second spell as Italy coach after previously leading the Azzurri from 2018 to 2023.
His greatest achievement during his first tenure was guiding Italy to EURO 2020 glory. He also led the team to third place in two editions of the Nations League.
Mancini’s club coaching career has included league titles in England, Italy and Qatar.
As a player, he won 36 caps for Italy and was part of the squad that reached the EURO 1988 semi-finals.
His return begins with a demanding fixture against Belgium.
First match: Italy vs Belgium — September 25
Mark van Bommel — Belgium
Former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel takes charge of Belgium for his first senior national-team coaching assignment.
The former midfielder won 79 caps for the Netherlands, including 16 as captain, and helped the Dutch reach the 2010 World Cup final.
His club career included spells at Fortuna Sittard, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan, where he won league titles in four countries and the Champions League.
Van Bommel has also coached PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp.
He said Belgium have “outstanding players and enormous potential” and that his coaching team wants to build a disciplined and ambitious side capable of competing with the best.
His first challenge is against Mancini’s Italy.
First match: Italy vs Belgium — September 25
Slaven Bilić — Croatia
Bilić returns to the Croatia job more than a decade after his first spell in charge.
The former Croatia defender managed the national team between 2006 and 2012, overseeing 65 matches and suffering eight defeats.
He won 44 international caps as a player and later built extensive coaching experience with clubs including Beşiktaş, West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion.
His most recent managerial position was with Saudi Arabian side Al-Fateh, which ended in August 2024.
Bilić says he returns as a more experienced coach but with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia remain competitive.
His first match back will be against Czechia.
First match: Czechia vs Croatia — September 26
Santi Denia — Czechia
Santi Denia takes charge of Czechia after establishing a strong reputation through Spain’s youth national teams.
Denia helped Spain win the UEFA Under-17 European Championship in 2017 and the Under-19 title in 2019.
His biggest achievement came in 2024, when he guided Spain to the Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games.
As a player, Denia spent his career in Spain, representing Albacete and Atlético Madrid, while also earning two senior caps for Spain.
Now beginning his senior international coaching career with Czechia, Denia described the appointment as a major opportunity and praised the country’s footballing history.
His first Nations League match will be against Croatia.
First match: Czechia vs Croatia — September 26
Opening League A fixtures
The new-look dugouts will be tested immediately when the Nations League gets underway.
Thursday, September 24
- Netherlands vs Germany
- Serbia vs Greece
- Norway vs Denmark
- Portugal vs Wales
Friday, September 25
- Italy vs Belgium
- Türkiye vs France
Saturday, September 26
- Czechia vs Croatia
- England vs Spain
The Netherlands-Germany clash stands out as Klopp and Xavi begin their first Nations League campaigns as national-team coaches.
Italy vs Belgium will also see Mancini and Van Bommel begin their new assignments against each other, while Zidane starts his France tenure against Türkiye.
England’s meeting with Spain adds another major fixture to the opening round, renewing a rivalry that also featured in the EURO 2024 final.
The first four matchdays of the 2026/27 Nations League will be played between September 24 and October 6, with the final two league-phase rounds scheduled for November 12-17.
The League A quarter-finals and promotion/relegation play-offs are scheduled for March 2027, before the Nations League Finals take place from June 9 to 13, 2027.
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