Nations League returns, Italy makes its debut and rules change from 2026/27

The Nations League returns to the field, with Italy ready to play its debut in the fifth edition of the competition. Already for the 2026/27 edition UEFA has introduced a maxi break of two consecutive weekends for the national teams and a series of new rules.

New promotion and relegation rules

The maxi break will force the leagues to stop for two weekends, a first in the history of international competitions. This interruption has been designed to make room for Nations League matches without overloading the players.

While awaiting the format change planned for the 2028/29 season, UEFA has already altered the structure for the 2026/27 edition. The novelties mainly concern the promotion and relegation mechanisms between the leagues.

It will become more difficult to be relegated directly from League A to League B, because only the two worst fourth‑placed teams will be automatically relegated. The two best third‑placed teams will remain in League A without having to face play‑offs.

The two worst third‑placed teams, together with the two best fourth‑placed teams, will have to play play‑offs against the four second‑placed teams from League B. This will increase the chances for a larger number of national teams to avoid direct relegation.

Italy puts pressure on Red Devils with nine subs against Turkey

The change is necessary to align the number of teams that will make up League A in the new structure, which envisages more participants in the top division.

The new model was approved by the UEFA Executive Committee in May 2026 and, at today’s meeting in Thessaloniki, the transitional changes for the 2026/27 edition were defined.

The Nations League will move from four leagues to three – A, B and C – with 18 national teams in each. Each league will be divided into three groups of six teams, with each national team playing six matches against five different opponents.

Mancini experiments: Italy beats Turkey and responds to the Belgian

The format echoes the so‑called “Swiss system” already used in European club competitions: the teams will not face all opponents in their group. With all 55 affiliated federations, League C will include a group of seven teams, whose schedule will start an international window before the others.

For the Azzurri, the Nations League is a crucial appointment: Italy is placed in Group A1 together with Belgium, France and Turkey and will have to fight for the top spots to stay in League A.