England face a rematch with their Euro 2024 final conquerors Spain in the 2026-27 Nations League.
The draw took place in Brussels on the day it was announced England head coach Thomas Tuchel had agreed a contract extension which takes in the Nations League and the European Championship on home soil in 2028.
– Ireland to fulfil Nations League games with Israel
– FA: Tuchel’s new deal not related to United job
– England set pre-WC friendlies vs. NZ, Costa Rica
Spain broke the hearts of England in the final of Euro 2024 in Germany, which turned out to be Gareth Southgate’s final match in charge. Tuchel’s men will also take on Croatia and Czechia in Group A3.
Defending Nations League champions Portugal were grouped with Denmark, Norway and Wales.
France were drawn against Italy, Belgium and Turkey.
Germany, Netherlands, Serbia and Greece are in the other League A group.
Wales have been placed in Group A4 alongside Nations League holders Portugal, plus Denmark and Norway.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland will take on fellow World Cup 2026 qualifiers Switzerland, along with Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1.
The Republic of Ireland were drawn to face Israel, Austria and Kosovo in B3 while Northern Ireland will be up against Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in B2.
The Nations League group matches will be played in the autumn, with four ties set to be played in a window running between late September and early October, and the final two in November.
The quarterfinals and promotion-relegation playoffs will be played in March 2027, with the final four to battle it out in the Nations League finals in June.
The Republic of Ireland and Israel were drawn in the same group in League B, which could be the cause of some tension.
Ireland’s soccer federation voted in November to submit a motion to UEFA to ban Israel from competitions organised by European soccer’s governing body.
The Football Association of Ireland cited two alleged violations of UEFA statutes by the Israel Football Association. The first was «organizing clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without the consent of the Palestinian FA» and the second was «the alleged failure of the IFA to enforce an effective anti-racism policy.»
Speaking after the draw, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said it would fulfill the fixture.
«While consultation has taken place with UEFA officials, the association does recognise that UEFA regulations outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow — including potential disqualification from the competition,» the FAI said in a statement.
Full Nations League draw
League A
Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Turkey
Group A2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece
Group A3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czech Republic
Group A4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales
League B
Group B1: Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, North Macedonia
Group B2: Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, Northern Ireland
Group B3: Israel, Austria, Ireland, Kosovo
Group B4: Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden
League C
Group C1: Albania, Finland, Belarus, San Marino
Group C2: Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, Latvia/Gibraltar
Group C3: Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Group C4: Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Luxembourg/Malta
League D
Group D1: Latvia/Gibraltar, Luxembourg/Malta, Andorra
Group D2: Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
