Matchday 1 of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League has put the spotlight on the Netherlands vs Germany and England vs Spain fixtures.
The group stage of the tournament will run from September 24, 2026, to November 17, 2026, with the Finals scheduled to take place from June 9 to June 13, 2027.
Portugal are the most successful team in the competition with two titles, including their most recent triumph in 2025.
A total of 54 teams will compete in the 2026/27 edition.
England are placed in Group A3 alongside world champions Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia.
The UEFA Nations League uses a standard home-and-away format, meaning the Three Lions will face each opponent twice during the league phase.
England will play Spain on September 26, followed by the Czech Republic on September 29 and Croatia on October 3, before facing the Czech Republic again on October 6.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will then face Croatia on November 12 and Spain on November 15.
Here, Sport Just Sport writer Anurag Tyagi scours the markets for the televised top-flight tussles from Matchday 1 of the UEFA Nations League and provides some suggested predictions and bets for them.
Netherlands vs Germany, Thursday, September 24 at 19:45 (BST)
Jürgen Klopp was always destined to coach Germany, and the former Liverpool manager is now set to take charge of his national team.
It’s no secret that the four-time world champions have been on the decline since reaching the summit of world football with their 2014 FIFA World Cup triumph.
Another disappointing campaign followed, with Germany exiting in the round of 32 at the hands of Paraguay.
But there is hope that Klopp can get the best out of a talented squad that has lacked the guidance and management at which he excels.
His first major decision was to name two squads, consisting of 24 and 20 players respectively.
The Netherlands are also going through a transition, with Xavi Hernández taking over from Ronald Koeman following their own round-of-32 exit at the FIFA World Cup.
Team news
Germany have no major injury concerns ahead of the game, with Klopp opting to name two strong squads.
Former Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is set to begin the Klopp era as the No.1.
Klopp has also confirmed that Joshua Kimmich will start in central midfield, while Jamal Musiala is expected to feature in an attacking midfield role.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, will be without several high-profile players.
Frenkie de Jong, Mats Wieffer, Ian Maatsen, Matthijs de Ligt, Jerdy Schouten and Xavi Simons are all sidelined with injuries.
Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert are the latest additions to the injury list and have been replaced in the squad by Mexx Meerdink and Guus Til.
Head-to-head
In 48 head-to-head meetings, Germany hold the upper hand with 18 wins, while the Netherlands have won 12 times. The remaining 18 games ended in draws.
Germany will also take heart from their recent record against the Dutch, having remained unbeaten in their last four meetings since March 2022, winning twice and drawing twice.
The last meeting between the two sides came in October 2024, when Germany secured a 1-0 victory courtesy of a goal from Jamie Leweling.
Match odds
The Netherlands are priced at 7/5 to win, while a draw is available at 14/5. Germany are 9/5 to claim the maximum points.
Suggested bet
Both teams to score, with 1-1 being the most likely outcome here.
READ MORE: England news: Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice lead list of withdrawals
England vs Spain, Saturday, September 26 at 19:45 (BST)
England return to Wembley for a high-octane UEFA Nations League clash against world champions Spain.
It will be Thomas Tuchel’s first competitive game in charge following England’s third-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain come into the game as both world and European champions after adding the World Cup to their Euro 2024 triumph earlier this summer.
They beat England in the Euro 2024 final and will now face them again at Wembley. The fixture gives both teams an early opportunity to take control of a group that also features the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Team news
Declan Rice and Cole Palmer have both withdrawn from the England squad for the Nations League due to workload management, while Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento have also pulled out with minor fitness concerns.
Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner have been called up as replacements.
For Spain, Pedro Porro has withdrawn after initially being named in the squad. The World Cup-winning right-back suffered a muscle injury during Tottenham Hotspur’s match against Aston Villa.
Manager Luis de la Fuente has called up Sporting CP’s Iván Fresneda from the Under-21s to replace Porro at right-back.
Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen has also earned a recall after missing out on the World Cup squad, while Fermín López also returns to the Spain setup.
Head-to-head
Spain hold the better head-to-head record, winning 14 of the 28 meetings between the two sides across all competitions, including international friendlies.
La Roja also won the most recent encounter, beating England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final.
Match odds
England are 2/1 to come out on top, with the draw priced at 5/2 and Spain available at 19/12 to take the win.
Suggested bet
England to get on the scoresheet but Spain to edge the contest 2-1.
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Italy vs Belgium, Friday, September 25 at 19:45 (BST)
Two European giants will get their UEFA Nations League campaigns underway as Italy host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday.
Both teams are entering a new era, with Roberto Mancini back in charge of Italy and Mark van Bommel appointed as Belgium manager following the World Cup.
Italy remarkably missed out on a third straight World Cup. For a team of their calibre and prestige, that remains difficult to digest.
The four-time world champions have now missed three consecutive editions, meaning an entire generation of players has been denied the chance to compete on football’s biggest stage.
Although Mancini has enjoyed success wherever he has managed, the pressure will still be immense on the former Manchester City boss to get the best out of the squad.
For Belgium, it was largely a successful trip to North America. Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals, it was their only loss at the 2026 World Cup.
Rudi Garcia left the Belgium hot seat after his contract expired on July 31, 2026, paving the way for the appointment of Van Bommel.
The Dutchman has enjoyed a successful managerial spell in Belgium, leading Royal Antwerp to their first league title in 66 years.
This is the main reason why the former Bayern Munich defensive midfielder got the Belgium job.
Team news
Federico Dimarco was forced to withdraw from Roberto Mancini’s initial squad due to a fitness concern, while Roma defensive midfielder Bryan Cristante has also pulled out with a muscle injury.
For Belgium, veterans Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne have both been included in Van Bommel’s first squad.
Head-to-head
Italy may be going through a historically poor run of results, but they have enjoyed the better of their recent meetings with Belgium.
The Azzurri have remained unbeaten against the Red Devils since 2015, winning four of their five encounters during that period, including victories at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Match odds
Italy are priced at 6/5 for the win, while the draw is available at 13/5. Belgium are 12/5 to take all three points.
Suggested bet
Both teams to score, but Italy are expected to maintain their strong recent record against Belgium. The Azzurri should edge a closely fought contest 2-1.
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