The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League has opened with a striking number of high-profile coaching changes, and the competition’s second batch of fixtures brings another set of heavyweight international meetings. England vs Spain is the standout contest on September 26, while Czechia vs Croatia also offers a compelling test between ambitious European sides.

The league phase began on September 24 and is scheduled to run until November 17, giving the new national-team coaches a relatively short opening window in which to establish their ideas and collect points. With major contenders already under new management, this Nations League campaign has taken on added significance from its first week. [1]

Klopp, Zidane and Jorge Jesus begin new international eras

The opening matchday immediately delivered several notable storylines. Jürgen Klopp’s first match as Germany coach ended in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, giving him a competitive start without a victory. The result nonetheless marked the beginning of one of the most closely watched coaching appointments in international football. [2]

Portugal also began a new chapter under Jorge Jesus, who led the team to a 1-0 win over Wales. In France, Zinédine Zidane started his tenure with a 1-0 victory against Türkiye, while Mark van Bommel’s Belgium recorded a 2-0 away win over Italy. Those results have ensured that the opening round is about more than fixture congestion: it is also an early reference point for several national teams entering a new cycle. [2]

The contrast between those debuts is already central to the tournament narrative. Klopp has had to settle for a draw in a major matchup, while Jesus, Zidane and van Bommel each secured a winning start. None of those early outcomes will define the campaign, but they provide immediate context before the next fixtures add further pressure.

England vs Spain takes centre stage at Wembley

England’s meeting with Spain is the headline fixture on September 26. The match is being presented as a major Wembley occasion, with Thomas Tuchel seeking to rebuild the connection between the national team and its home supporters. It is also England’s first post-World Cup match, increasing the attention surrounding the performance as well as the result. [4]

Spain provide an exacting opponent for that moment. The fixture gives England an early opportunity to measure its progress against one of Europe’s leading international teams, while the visitors can make an immediate statement in a match carrying substantial profile. For supporters searching for the first major test of England’s latest phase, Wembley is the obvious focus of the next Nations League round.

The game also illustrates why the competition is attracting so much attention despite taking place outside a major tournament. Nations League fixtures now offer meaningful, high-level meetings between familiar rivals, while changes in the dugout create a fresh tactical and emotional backdrop. England vs Spain combines both elements.

Czechia vs Croatia adds another heavyweight contest

Czechia vs Croatia is another prominent fixture in the September 26 programme. Both teams face an early opportunity to set the tone for their league-phase campaigns, with the meeting offering a different kind of test from the Wembley headline. It is a contest likely to be followed closely by fans tracking the balance of power in the group.

The rest of the schedule ensures that attention will not be limited to the two biggest fixtures. Slovenia face Scotland, while North Macedonia play Switzerland. The programme also includes several League C matches, extending the opening round across a broad section of European international football. [3]

Why the opening round matters

The Nations League’s early fixtures are particularly important for coaches making their first competitive impressions. A new manager must quickly identify a reliable structure, manage expectations and use limited preparation time effectively. Results such as Portugal’s win, France’s victory and Belgium’s success away in Italy offer encouraging starts, while Germany’s draw against the Netherlands shows how difficult immediate progress can be even for an established football power. [2]

For England, the challenge is magnified by the setting and the opponent. Tuchel’s team will be judged against Spain at Wembley, with supporters looking for signs of a stronger connection and a convincing direction after the World Cup. Croatia and Czechia will have a similarly valuable chance to shape the conversation when they meet in the other major fixture of the day.

With the league phase continuing through November 17, September’s opening round will not determine the final standings. It can, however, establish the mood around each new coaching era. The combination of debut victories, a high-profile draw and a schedule led by England vs Spain makes the 2026/27 Nations League an unusually compelling international football story from the outset. [1][2]

September 26 fixtures to watch

  • England vs Spain – the headline Wembley meeting.
  • Czechia vs Croatia – another high-profile contest in the opening round.
  • Slovenia vs Scotland – a key fixture for both sides’ early momentum.
  • North Macedonia vs Switzerland – part of a busy day across the league phase.
  • League C fixtures – adding further depth to the September 26 schedule. [3]