Spain kick off the Nations League at Wembley against England
Under the blinding lights of Wembley, the Spanish national team steps onto the pitch at 20 h 45 on 26 September for its first official commitment since the World Cup, facing England in the tournament's opening Nations League match.
The return comes just over two months after Spain won the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The final was decided in extra time with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute against Argentina. This match is not a celebratory friendly, but the official opening of the Nations League.
Group A3 and opponents
The UEFA draw, held in Brussels on 12 February, placed Spain in Group A3 alongside England, Croatia and the Czech Republic, the toughest group in League A. England arrives in top form, after achieving its best World Cup since 1966 with a third‑place finish and a hat‑trick from Bukayo Saka against France. Moreover, Spain still has the pending score from Euro 2024, where it beat England 2‑1 in the final.
Format and risks
In this format, the top two from each group advance to the quarter‑finals, scheduled for 25 and 30 March 2027, while the bottom team drops to League B. Spain is aiming for its fourth consecutive Nations League final, an unprecedented run. With only two qualification spots and relegation looming, Luis de la Fuente cannot afford a slow start.
Schedule and upcoming commitments
The September‑October window has become a single block: Spain will play four matches in 11 days, starting at Wembley on 26 September and finishing in Split on 6 October. Then it will host Croatia on 29 September at the Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán and the Czech Republic on 3 October at the Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo. In November the duels against the Czech Republic (12) and England (15) remain, which could be played at the Metropolitano.
Wembley is one of the largest‑capacity stadiums in Europe and the venue where England boasts its best home records; Spain has only won there once, in 2018. The venue also incorporates an environmental component that does not appear in the usual statistics. The hostile atmosphere of the stadium adds pressure to the Spanish debut.
Spain won the World Cup by dominating possession, isolating Lionel Messi in the final and conceding only one goal, the best defensive record of a champion. Rodri was named the tournament’s best player and Unai Simón received the award for best goalkeeper, while 19‑year‑old Lamine Yamal lifted the trophy as a symbol of a new generation. De la Fuente, now with his contract extended to 2032, has achieved his goal of reviving the 2010 spirit.
The RFEF board approved on 21 September the new contract for Luis de la Fuente, which covers Euro 2028, the 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032. This stability allows the manager to plan medium‑term without the uncertainty that marked the February draw.
The challenge posed by Group A3 forces Spain to combine its defensive solidity with the creativity that took it to the world title. A strong start at Wembley will be decisive to keep alive the ambition of a fourth consecutive final.