Nations League Kicks Off in Style: Netherlands-Germany, England-Spain and Belgium-France

The UEFA Nations League is about to return, and the schedule threw a bone to everyone who loves marquee matchups. The opening matchday features three fixtures worth the price of admission: Netherlands vs. Germany, England vs. Spain and Belgium vs. France, with six national teams that were front and center at the recent 2026 World Cup, and with Spain arriving as the brand new champion after beating Argentina in the final. As if that weren't enough, the start of the tournament also marks the official debut of four names that move the needle: Jurgen Klopp, Xavi Hernandez, Zinedine Zidane and Mark van Bommel are all taking charge on the touchline for the first time.

Netherlands-Germany: the first test for Klopp and Xavi

It all begins on September 24, with the Netherlands hosting Germany in Group A2. This is no ordinary match: it's Klopp's first game in charge of the German national team, taking over from Julian Nagelsmann after a career built from the ground up at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. Across the touchline will be Xavi Hernandez, stepping into the Dutch dugout after his time as both player and coach at Barcelona.

Recent history favors the visitors: Germany arrives on a run of four games unbeaten against the Dutch (two wins and two draws). What comes after won't be easy either, since the group also includes Serbia and Greece, two tricky away trips both sides will have to navigate during the group stage.

England-Spain: Wembley again, the final again

Two days later, on September 26, Wembley will host a reunion with recent history behind it: England hosts Spain in the opening matchday of Group A3, in what amounts to a symbolic rematch of the Euro 2024 final, when Spain won 2-1 in Berlin thanks to a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal.

For Thomas Tuchel it will be an immediate trial by fire as England returns to the top tier of the Nations League, a promotion secured back in the 2024/25 edition. Standing opposite will be a Spain side that finished runner-up in the last tournament and is now, on top of that, world champion. The head-to-head record since 2000 favors the Spaniards: six wins in ten matches, against three English victories and one draw. Playing at home, though, gives England, semifinalists at the last World Cup, a real chance to close that gap.

Belgium-France: Van Bommel and Zidane open a new chapter

On September 28, the trio of big games wraps up with Belgium hosting France in Group A1, which also includes Italy and Turkey. Didier Deschamps' cycle with Les Bleus is over, as is Rudi Garcia's with the Red Devils, so this clash arrives with a fresh feel even as it carries a familiar backdrop: France's clear edge in recent head-to-head meetings.

France has won the last five meetings between the two sides, including those 2-0 and 2-1 results from the 2024/25 Nations League. And here's the most striking stat: Belgium hasn't beaten its neighbor in an official competition since that 2-0 win in qualifying for the 1982 World Cup.

It will be one of the first tests for Zidane as a national team manager. The 1998 World Cup champion and 2006 runner-up returns to the sidelines after more than five years away, since leaving Real Madrid. On the other side, Van Bommel will be looking to start his tenure with a win over a rival that, history shows, has given Belgium fits for decades.