(foto: UEFA)
International football returns across Europe this week, less than eight weeks after Spain edged out England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
With the UEFA Nations League kicking off again, fans have plenty to be excited about as the continent’s top teams face off in this competitive format.
Spain are riding high after their magnificent triumph at the Euros and their gold medal success at the Olympics. Coach Luis de la Fuente and his team return to action quickly, aiming to defend their Nations League title after winning the previous edition. Spain find themselves in Group 4 of League A, with a tough start as they face Serbia away and Switzerland in Geneva, with Denmark completing the group.
Notably absent from the squad are Alvaro Morata, Unai Simon, and Mikel Merino, all of whom played in the Euros final but are sidelined with injuries. However, Spain still boast exciting talents like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, while Oscar Mingueza and Pepelu are among the new faces in the squad. De la Fuente is determined, stating: "We will keep fighting and trying to go as far as possible in every competition."
After missing out on Euros glory, England enters a new chapter following Gareth Southgate’s resignation. For now, Lee Carsley, the England Under-21 coach, takes charge on an interim basis, leading the team into their Nations League double-header against Ireland in Dublin and Finland at Wembley.
With the English FA still searching for a permanent successor to Southgate, Carsley’s performance could determine whether he stays on for the remainder of the Nations League campaign. England, relegated from League A in the previous edition, will also face Greece as they seek redemption. Injuries have ruled out Jude Bellingham, but Carsley’s squad features uncapped talents like Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, and Angel Gomes.
Despite a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in five matches, the 39-year-old star isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez continues to back the former Real Madrid forward, including him in the squad to face Croatia and Scotland at home.
Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, said on Monday: "When the time comes, I'll move on." With Goncalo Ramos out injured, Ronaldo is expected to start as Portugal aim to win the Nations League for the second time, having first triumphed in 2019. Portugal will also face Poland in their group as they push for another title.
Several other teams are embarking on new journeys under fresh leadership. Ireland’s clash with England marks the first game for new coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, the Icelandic manager who previously led Jamaica. Meanwhile, Wales are under new management with Craig Bellamy stepping in after the team’s failure to qualify for the Euros. Sweden are also playing their first competitive matches under Jon Dahl Tomasson, and veteran coach Mircea Lucescu has returned for a second spell with Romania, 38 years after his first stint.
This is the fourth edition of the Nations League, but the format hasn’t gotten any simpler. New to this edition is the introduction of quarter-finals next March, involving the top two from each group in League A. The four-team finals are set for next June.
Relegation/promotion play-offs between the teams finishing third in League A and second in League B, as well as between Leagues B and C, will add to the drama. Moreover, the Nations League plays a crucial role in World Cup qualifying, with 12 group winners in European qualifying going to the World Cup, while four more places will be decided by play-offs featuring the runners-up and the highest-ranked teams from the Nations League who have not qualified.