+ Good bits in the first round
Stars Lamine Yamal, 17, and Nico Williams, 22, were two of many Spaniards who shone during the European Championship in Germany and together ensured that Spain won the final against England. Now, the duo and their teammates are facing new challenges. In Belgrade, Spain will meet promoted Serbia, a match that is the first in the hunt to defend their title in the Nations League.
Seven goals in four competitive matches. Erling Braut Haaland has really started the season strongly in Manchester City. Now, the 24-year-old will don the Norwegian national team jersey and chase goals in Almaty, Kazakhstan. So far, he has scored 31 goals in 33 international matches.
At Parc des Princes in Paris, France will host Italy and Georgia – one of the European Championship's surprise teams – will meet the Czech Republic at home.
+ Fourth edition of the tournament
The Nations League was introduced in the 2018–2019 season, with the idea of replacing all meaningless friendly matches with competitive international matches of value. Portugal won the first edition, and since then, France and Spain have also lifted the trophy.
+ News before the season
The group winners and runners-up in Division A will meet in quarterfinals – played over two matches, home and away – and the winners will advance to the final, "Final Four".
The fourth-placed teams in A and B will be relegated. The group winners in B, C, and D will be promoted. The third-placed teams in A and the second-placed teams in B, as well as the third-placed teams in B and the second-placed teams in C, will play promotion and relegation matches. Playoffs will also be played between the two best fourth-placed teams in C and the second-placed teams in D.
+ A path to the 2026 World Championship
The group runners-up in the World Cup qualifiers and the four best group winners from the Nations League – who did not succeed in the qualifiers – will reach the playoffs to qualify for the championship in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The 16 nations will be drawn into four "playoff paths", and two wins – semifinal and final – will lead to World Championship tickets.
+ Sweden's Nations League
The 2022–2023 season was far from blue and yellow. Sweden won one of six matches, finished last in the group, and was relegated to Division C. Against Azerbaijan on Thursday, national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson & Co will begin their hunt to climb in the Nations League.
Division A, group 1: Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Croatia. Group 2: Belgium, France, Israel, Italy. Group 3: Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Group 4: Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Serbia.
Division B, group 1: Albania, Georgia, Ukraine, Czech Republic. Group 2: England, Finland, Greece, Ireland. Group 3: Austria, Norway, Slovenia, Kazakhstan. Group 4: Iceland, Turkey, Wales, Montenegro.
Division C, group 1: Sweden, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Slovakia. Group 2: Cyprus, Romania, Lithuania, Kosovo. Group 3: Faroe Islands, Latvia, Armenia, North Macedonia.
Division D, group 1: Liechtenstein, San Marino, Gibraltar. Group 2: Malta, Moldova, Andorra.
Group stage match dates: 5-7 September, 8-10 September, 10-12 October, 13-15 October, 14-16 September, 17-19 November.
What happens next: Playoff matches will be drawn in November and played on 20-25 March. At the same time, quarterfinals in Division A will be played, and on 4-8 June, the battle to lift the trophy awaits.
Thursday: Azerbaijan in Baku at 18.00.
Sunday: Estonia at Strawberry arena at 20.45.
11 October: Slovakia in Bratislava at 20.45.
14 October: Estonia in Tallinn at 20.45.
16 November: Slovakia at Strawberry arena at 20.45.
19 November: Azerbaijan at Strawberry arena at 20.45.
