Nations League predictions and predicted line-ups: England v Spain, Italy v Belgium and every matchday one fixture

The Nations League 2026/27 starts with 25 games from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September, the first international window since the World Cup. The headline game is at Wembley on Saturday, where England host world champions Spain at 19:45 UK time, while Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all start away from home.

Half of the League A sides have a new head coach. Xavi and Jürgen Klopp go head to head in their first games in charge in Amsterdam, Zinedine Zidane starts with France in Turkey, Jorge Jesus with Portugal against Wales and Santi Denia with Czechia in Prague, where Slaven Bilić is back in charge of Croatia; Roberto Mancini returns with Italy. Monday's squad round-up has the lists; this piece has Tuesday's news, predicted line-ups for League A where the information holds up, and our call on all 25 games. In League A the top two in each group reach the quarter-finals in March 2027; only the two worst fourth-placed sides go straight down, while the two worst third-placed and two best fourth-placed sides play off against League B runners-up.

England v Spain: kick-off time, team news and predicted line-ups

Saturday 26 September, 19:45 UK time, Wembley. England v Spain, Group A3, in front of a sell-out crowd according to the FA. Thomas Tuchel stayed on after England finished third at the World Cup; Luis de la Fuente signed a new contract to 2032 on Monday, two months after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final. Neither side has played since. The last meeting was the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, won 2-1 by Spain, who also won the last game between them at Wembley, in the Nations League in September 2018.

Tuchel has been clear about his aims: “The target is to go out of the group into the quarter-finals in March and then go to the final four in June.” De la Fuente said on 18 September that on the night of the final one of his players asked him what was left to win, and he answered “pues el 26 de septiembre contra Inglaterra”: this game.

Team news. On Monday the FA confirmed five withdrawals through injury: Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento. James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White were called up, leaving 24 in the squad, and John Stones and Reece James had already been left out injured. Spain replaced the injured Pedro Porro with Sporting's Iván Fresneda, and Inter's Josep Martínez is in because Joan García has a knee injury. Dean Huijsen, sent off in Atlético Madrid's 2-1 derby win over Real Madrid on Sunday (our call was no more than four goals, confidence 6 out of 10: correct), serves that ban in La Liga and is available.

Predicted line-ups. Neither coach has given anything away, and so far there is only one full prediction, which already takes the withdrawals into account, so treat it with caution. England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guéhi, O'Reilly; Garner, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Rogers; Kane. Spain (4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; Eric García, Cubarsí, Huijsen, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Nico Williams; Oyarzabal. Garner would come in for Rice. Spain have everyone who started the World Cup final except Porro. For England v Spain, our call is no more than four goals, confidence 7 out of 10.

Netherlands v Germany: Xavi and Klopp's first games in charge

Thursday 24 September, 19:45 UK time, Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam. The Netherlands v Germany, Group A2, and a first game in charge for both head coaches. Xavi, appointed on 12 August, is the first foreign coach of the Netherlands since Ernst Happel; Klopp succeeded Julian Nagelsmann. Both sides went out of the World Cup on the same day, 29 June, in the round of 32 and on penalties, and Germany are unbeaten in four against the Dutch.

Team news. Roma's Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert withdrew injured and were replaced by Meerdink and Til; Frenkie de Jong, De Ligt and Xavi Simons are also out, and Memphis Depay was left out by choice. Jurriën Timber is a doubt: he missed group training on Monday and again on Tuesday, a decision taken with Arsenal. Germany use the first of their two squads, so Wirtz and Woltemade are not involved, and on Monday Barcelona's Karim Adeyemi replaced Lennart Karl.

Predicted line-ups. The predictions for the Netherlands agree on eight names and differ on the rest, and Xavi faces the media at 10:00 UK time on Wednesday: Netherlands (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van de Ven, Timber or Aké; Gravenberch, Reijnders, Veerman; Summerville or Frimpong, Brobbey, Gakpo. One prediction has Van Hecke in defence and Dumfries further forward, leaving out Veerman. Germany are closer to a settled side: Germany (4-2-3-1): ter Stegen; Vagnoman, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Kimmich, Nmecha; Adeyemi, Musiala, Schade; Havertz. It is the same XI former Germany captain Lothar Matthäus predicted. Right-back is between Vagnoman, Treu and Bisseck, and Schade is competing with Führich; Klopp could also switch to a 4-3-3 with Kimmich as the only holding midfielder; another prediction has Kimmich at right-back, with Amiri alongside Nmecha and Gnabry on the wing. Klopp has said ter Stegen will play, at the ground where he plays his club football: he is on loan at Ajax from Barcelona.

Xavi, who speaks to the media in English, promised on Monday that “we will play with intensity, with passion, with a good rhythm”. Sunderland's Brian Brobbey arrives after a hat-trick in a 5-3 defeat at Manchester City (our call was at least two goals, confidence 6 out of 10: correct). For the Netherlands v Germany, our call is at least two goals, confidence 7 out of 10.

Serbia v Greece: Greece's first League A game

Thursday 24 September, 19:45 UK time, Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade. Serbia v Greece, Group A2. Greece, coached by Serbian Ivan Jovanović since 2024, are in League A for the first time after beating Scotland in the play-off. Veljko Paunović confirmed on 18 September that he had offered to resign after Serbia's early-summer defeats. According to the Serbian press, Dušan Vlahović is injured and has told Paunović not to count on him, although the federation has said nothing; Mitrović and Milenković were left out injured. Greece are without Rota, Giannoulis, Hatzidiakos, Konstantelias and captain Tasos Bakasetas. No Serbia XI holds up: Paunović will not reveal his formation, the predictions going round still have Vlahović up front, and the Serbian press expects AEK's Luka Jović to lead the line instead. For Greece there is only one full prediction, so treat it with caution: Greece (4-2-3-1): Tzolakis; Vagiannidis, Koulierakis, Mavropanos, Tsimikas; Zafeiris, Mouzakitis; Karetsas, Douvikas, Tzolis; Pavlidis. For Serbia v Greece, our call is no more than four goals, confidence 7 out of 10.

Norway v Denmark: Haaland and Højlund at a sold-out Ullevaal

Thursday 24 September, 19:45 UK time, Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo. Norway v Denmark, Group A4, Ståle Solbakken against Brian Riemer. It is Norway's first game in League A after a World Cup in which they reached their first quarter-final and Erling Haaland scored seven goals. Asked whether Haaland could play the full 90 in all four games, Solbakken answered on 15 September “Det er tvilsomt”: it is doubtful. Denmark missed the World Cup after losing the play-off final to Czechia on penalties.

Team news and line-ups. Denmark lost Barcelona's Andreas Christensen on Saturday and called up Lucas Høgsberg. Christian Eriksen is not in the squad and has not played since he was taken ill during a game on 7 June. Norway are without Alexander Sørloth, who was not selected. Two previews name the same players, one in a 4-3-3 and one in a 4-2-3-1 with Ødegaard behind Haaland: Norway (4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem or Østigård, Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berg, Berge; Bobb or Schjelderup, Haaland, Nusa. For Denmark the predictions agree on most names: Denmark (4-3-3): Hermansen or Filip Jørgensen; Bah, Joachim Andersen, Nelsson or Provstgaard, Mæhle; Højbjerg, Hjulmand, Froholdt or Bidstrup; Isaksen, Højlund, Damsgaard or Dorgu. Hermansen is the goalkeeper named most often. For Norway v Denmark, our call is at least three goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

Portugal v Wales: Jorge Jesus begins, Wales short of defenders

Thursday 24 September, 19:45 UK time, Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon. Portugal v Wales, Group A4. The Nations League holders start under Jorge Jesus, 72, appointed on 10 July after Roberto Martínez resigned following the World Cup last-16 defeat by Spain. Craig Bellamy's Wales lost the World Cup play-off semi-final to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties and are four games without a win. Bellamy said on 15 September: “This is a completely different format in that we have four games in a short space of time and it's going to test us squad-wise.” The last meeting was the Euro 2016 semi-final, won 2-0 by Portugal.

Team news. Portugal reported no fitness problems. Wales are without both play-off centre-backs, Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor, and on Monday also lost Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and first-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow; David Cornell, Charlie Savage and Joe Taylor came in. Captain Ben Davies is back in the squad after a long ankle injury.

Predicted line-ups. Jesus has ruled out using João Félix on the wing: “Comigo não é jogador para jogar numa ala”, with me he is not a winger. He sees him as a second striker or a centre-forward. The prediction that fits the fixed points named by the Portuguese press is: Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Rúben Neves, Vitinha; Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Félix; Cristiano Ronaldo. A 4-4-2 with Félix alongside Ronaldo is still possible; Jesus speaks on Wednesday. For Wales there is a full prediction that takes the withdrawals into account: Wales (4-2-3-1): Danny Ward; Neco Williams, Cabango, Ben Davies, DaSilva; Ampadu, Jordan James; Brooks, Sorba Thomas, Daniel James; Brennan Johnson. For Portugal v Wales, our call is no more than four goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

Italy v Belgium: Mancini's return

Friday 25 September, 19:45 UK time, Stadio Olimpico, Rome. Italy v Belgium, Group A1. Roberto Mancini is back for a second spell, and Belgium's Mark van Bommel, a former AC Milan midfielder appointed on 24 July, takes charge for the first time. Italy missed a third straight World Cup after losing the play-off final to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties; Belgium went out to Spain in the quarter-finals. Alessandro Bastoni is suspended, and on Monday Federico Dimarco left the camp, not having recovered from a problem picked up with Inter; Aston Villa's Matteo Ruggeri replaces him. Belgium are without Thibaut Courtois, who is skipping the Nations League by agreement with Van Bommel. Leandro Trossard is in the squad but has a bone oedema in his heel and missed training on Monday and Tuesday.

Predicted line-ups. Mancini worked with a 4-3-3 in Monday's first session, and Tuesday's Italian previews, taken together with the other predictions going round, point to this: Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Kayode, Gianluca Mancini, Coppola or Scalvini, Calafiori; Barella, Romano or Ricci, Tonali; Vergara or Zaniolo, Pio Esposito, Raspadori. Coppola is ahead of Scalvini to replace the suspended Bastoni; some predictions still include Bastoni, but he cannot play on Friday. Elsewhere Giovanni Di Lorenzo could start instead of Kayode, Mandragora is also in the running in midfield, Frattesi could come in for Tonali (one preview says Tonali is not yet fully fit), Maldini for Raspadori and Kean for Pio Esposito. Kayode, Romano and Vergara would all be making their debuts. For Belgium there is only one full prediction so far, to be treated with caution until Van Bommel speaks on Thursday: Belgium (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Castagne, De Winter, Debast, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Lavia; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Godts; De Ketelaere. On 18 September, though, Van Bommel said: “Ik wil een 4-3-3 spelen. Dat is de startsituatie.” (I want to play 4-3-3. That is the starting point.) For Italy v Belgium, our call is at least two goals, confidence 7 out of 10.

Turkey v France: Zidane's first game

Friday 25 September, 19:45 UK time, Kocaeli Stadium, İzmit. Turkey v France, Group A1. Zinedine Zidane takes charge of France for the first time, against a Turkey side coached by Vincenzo Montella and making their League A debut. France ended the World Cup with defeats by Spain in the semi-final and by England, 6-4, in the third-place play-off. Turkey are without Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kenan Yıldız and Mert Müldür, and Orkun Kökçü is a serious doubt with a cracked toe. France lost goalkeeper Robin Risser and Warren Zaïre-Emery, replaced by Jean Butez and Maghnes Akliouche.

Predicted line-ups. Two French previews agree on ten names, and the other predictions change three places: France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Jacquet or Lacroix, Truffert or Diouf; Koné or Camavinga, Rabiot; Olise, Cherki, Mbappé; Dembélé or Doué. Zidane said of Mbappé on 18 September: “je l'aime beaucoup à gauche”, I like him a lot on the left. For Turkey there is only one full prediction, so treat it with caution: Turkey (4-2-3-1): Çakır; Zeki Çelik, Kabak, Bardakcı, Elmalı; Özcan, Kökçü (serious doubt); Oğuz Aydın, Arda Güler, Aktürkoğlu; Barış Alper Yılmaz. Roma's Manu Koné scored twice in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Inter (our call was the away side to score, confidence 7 out of 10: correct). For Turkey v France, our call is no more than four goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

Czechia v Croatia: Denia's debut, Bilić's return

Saturday 26 September, 19:45 UK time, Eden Stadium, Prague. Czechia v Croatia, Group A3. Santi Denia, the Spaniard who won Olympic gold with Spain in Paris, is the first foreign head coach of the Czech national team, and Slaven Bilić is back with Croatia 14 years after his first spell. Czechia had six withdrawals on Monday, five of them Slavia Prague players, and Patrik Schick has retired from international football. Tuesday's Croatian previews agree on the back four Bilić prefers and point to this prediction: Croatia (4-2-3-1): Livaković; Stanišić, Vušković, Gvardiol, Perišić; Kovačić, Modrić (doubtful); Vlašić, Petar Sučić, Baturina; Matanović. On Modrić, one of the two previews does not expect him to start in Prague, and Bilić has said he will not play all four games. Vlašić is competing with Luka Sučić, whom some predictions have starting, and with Mario Pašalić; Matanović with Budimir. There is no Czech XI: on 18 September Denia said he had not yet chosen his goalkeeper. For Czechia v Croatia, our call is at least two goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

The rest of matchday one

Thursday 24 September

19:45, Austria v Israel, League B, Group B3, in Linz. Ralf Rangnick's Austria are without Alaba, Sabitzer, Arnautović and Laimer. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 7 out of 10.

19:45, Kosovo v the Republic of Ireland, League B, Group B3, in Pristina. Heimir Hallgrímsson's Ireland are without captain Nathan Collins for the whole window, and Killian Phillips replaces Jamie McGrath. Kosovo have lost Napoli's Amir Rrahmani, who has quit international football. Our call is no more than four goals, confidence 7 out of 10.

19:45, Liechtenstein v Lithuania, League D, Group D2, in Vaduz. No promotion is on the line: under UEFA's reform League D will disappear. Our call is no more than three goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

Friday 25 September

17:00, Georgia v Northern Ireland, League B, Group B2, in Tbilisi. Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland squad has an average age of 24 and is without Liverpool's Conor Bradley, Alistair McCann and Brad Lyons, all injured. Georgia have PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Our call is no more than four goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

17:00, Armenia v Latvia, League C, Group C2, in Yerevan. Latvia are coached by Paolo Nicolato, formerly Italy's under-21 coach. Our call is no more than three goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

19:45, Sweden v Romania, League B, Group B4, in Solna. Romania's first competitive game since Gheorghe Hagi returned as coach following the death of Mircea Lucescu; Graham Potter's Sweden are without Hien and Elanga. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

19:45, Poland v Bosnia and Herzegovina, League B, Group B4, in Warsaw. Bosnia and Herzegovina, who knocked out Wales and then Italy on penalties in the World Cup play-offs, have Edin Džeko in the squad. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 7 out of 10.

19:45, Montenegro v Cyprus, League C, Group C2, in Podgorica. Mirko Vučinić's Montenegro include Atalanta's Nikola Krstović. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

19:45, Hungary v Ukraine, League B, Group B2, in Budapest. Two Italian coaches meet: Marco Rossi and Andrea Maldera. Ukraine are without Artem Dovbyk. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

Saturday 26 September

14:00, Slovenia v Scotland, League B, Group B1, in Ljubljana: an afternoon kick-off. Sébastien Pocognoli, the Belgian who replaced Steve Clarke, takes charge for the first time with a 28-man squad, seven of them uncapped. Scott McTominay is missing: the Scottish FA says he is recovering from a successful recent heart procedure. Billy Gilmour is back, captain Andy Robertson is on 97 caps, and Slovenia are without the injured Benjamin Šeško. Our call is no more than three goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

17:00, Bulgaria v Luxembourg, League C, Group C4, in Plovdiv. Jeff Strasser's Luxembourg have Benfica's Leandro Barreiro. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

17:00, San Marino v Finland, League C, Group C1, in Serravalle. San Marino make their League C debut, and they cannot go down. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 7 out of 10.

17:00, Iceland v Estonia, League C, Group C4, in Reykjavík. Iceland include Gylfi Sigurðsson, Aron Gunnarsson and Lazio's Albert Guðmundsson. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

17:00, Faroe Islands v Kazakhstan, League C, Group C3, in Tórshavn. John van 't Schip's first competitive game as Kazakhstan coach. Our call is no more than four goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

19:45, Albania v Belarus, League C, Group C1, in Tirana. Rolando Maran's first competitive game as Albania coach. Our call is no more than three goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

19:45, North Macedonia v Switzerland, League B, Group B1, in Skopje. Switzerland are without suspended Breel Embolo and captain Granit Xhaka, who admitted obtaining a Covid vaccination certificate in 2022 without being vaccinated and, in agreement with the federation, is missing this camp. Our call is no more than four goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

19:45, Slovakia v Moldova, League C, Group C3, in Prešov. Vladimír Weiss, who coached Slovakia to a 3-2 win over Italy at the 2010 World Cup, has Marek Hamšík among his assistants. Our call is at least two goals, confidence 6 out of 10.

The line-ups are predictions as of Tuesday afternoon, 22 September, and the pre-match press conferences can change them.

Every game with our calls is on the Nations League page. The record of settled calls is in the results history, and our calls on individual players are in player predictions.