Much of the attention will be on England’s clash with world champions Spain. The Netherlands against Germany, Italy against Belgium and the Scandinavian derby between Norway and Denmark also promise intriguing opening tests.
Austria open at home to Israel in Linz
Austria begin their Nations League campaign on Thursday evening against Israel at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz. Three days later, Ralf Rangnick’s side host Kosovo before travelling to Ireland and then Kosovo again at the beginning of October.
For Austria, the competition represents an opportunity to move straight into a new phase following the World Cup. The core of the squad has changed considerably: Marko Arnautovic has retired from international football, Marcel Sabitzer is taking a break until at least the end of the year and David Alaba is absent from the current camp. Austria will also have to do without Konrad Laimer for the opening two matches. The Bayern midfielder is dealing with a minor adductor injury.
Sascha Horvath was called up in Laimer’s place and joins the senior squad for the first time. The LASK captain made more than 60 appearances for Austria’s youth teams and has now earned his opportunity after an excellent previous season. Israel should not be regarded as a typical League B opponent, either: they were relegated from League A in the previous Nations League campaign. Austria scored 14 goals in their last season in League B but ultimately missed out on promotion.
Klopp’s Germany begin with the Netherlands
The spotlight will be even brighter in Amsterdam on Thursday. Germany visit the Netherlands as Jürgen Klopp takes charge of the national team for the first time. The former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager took over the DFB side in the summer and begins his tenure with one of European football’s most traditional rivalries.
There is a new era on the opposite bench as well. Xavi will be in charge of the Netherlands for the first time, meaning the match brings together not only two major football nations, but also two new projects at the very start of their development. The sides also met in the previous edition of the Nations League: they drew 2-2 in Amsterdam before Germany won the return fixture 1-0.
Klopp has named a 24-man squad for the opening two matches. One of the most interesting newcomers is Eintracht striker Younes Ebnoutalib, rewarded with his first call-up after a strong start to the season. Bayern youngster Lennart Karl could also make his first competitive appearance for Germany after previously featuring in friendly matches. Three days after the opener, Germany host Greece in Augsburg.
World champions Spain face England at Wembley
The standout fixture of the opening matchday takes place at Wembley on Saturday. England welcome Spain in a meeting between the World Cup’s third-placed team and the newly crowned champions. England claimed bronze during the summer, while Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in New Jersey to secure Spain’s second world title.
Luis de la Fuente’s team will now take to the pitch with two stars above the crest for the first time. Shortly before the Nations League began, the Spanish federation also made a major statement by extending the coach’s contract until 2032. De la Fuente has now won the Nations League, European Championship and World Cup with Spain.
For England, this is far more than a routine opening fixture. The Three Lions face the side that also beat them in the Euro 2024 final. Thomas Tuchel will, however, be without several high-profile names: Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento have all withdrawn through injury. Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, returns to the squad.
With Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka still available, England retain plenty of individual quality. The game is a major early test for the hosts after the World Cup, while Spain must show how quickly they can move on from the emotions of their title triumph and return to competitive action.
Switzerland begin in North Macedonia
Switzerland do not enter the competition until Saturday, when they travel to Skopje to face North Macedonia. Following relegation from League A, the Swiss have been drawn alongside North Macedonia, Scotland and Slovenia as they attempt to make an immediate return to the top tier.
The opening assignment is far from straightforward. North Macedonia earned promotion from League C in the previous Nations League campaign and are capable of causing stronger opponents problems on home soil. Switzerland then travel to Hampden Park to face Scotland just three days later. Two difficult away fixtures therefore await them at the start of the campaign.
Zidane makes his debut, Mancini returns
Friday also offers two compelling storylines. France travel to Turkey for Zinédine Zidane’s first match as national-team coach. The former world and European champion succeeded Didier Deschamps during the summer and is taking charge of a national side for the first time. After winning three Champions League titles as Real Madrid coach, the first signs of Zidane’s approach with France will now come under scrutiny.
At the same time, Italy host Belgium in Rome. The match marks the beginning of Roberto Mancini’s second spell in charge of the Azzurri. Mancini previously led Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 and now begins his return against a high-profile opponent. Belgium were, of course, beaten by Italy in the quarter-finals on their way to that title.
Defending champions Portugal also begin their campaign on Thursday against Wales. Another attractive fixture is the Scandinavian derby between Norway and Denmark in Oslo. Norway reached the round of 16 at the World Cup and enter the new Nations League season with a side built around Erling Haaland.
The opening matchday therefore arrives with an unusually high number of major storylines so soon after the World Cup: new coaches, reshaped national teams, the world champions heading back into competitive action and several countries adapting after promotion or relegation. Above all, the Netherlands against Germany and England against Spain stand out in an already impressive opening programme.
