The 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League draw has delivered several fascinating matchups, with Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Scotland drawn together in League A Group A4, while England will face France, Austria and Portugal.
The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Tuesday 3 November 2026, setting the stage for the third edition of the competition. A total of 54 national teams will compete across three leagues, with the opening matches scheduled for February 2027.
Defending champions Spain face Norway, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland in Group A1, while Denmark, Italy, Iceland and Wales complete the four League A groups.
Beyond the battle for the Nations League trophy, teams will also compete for promotion, avoid relegation and establish their positions ahead of the European Qualifiers for UEFA Women’s EURO 2029. Here is our breakdown of the draw, the most interesting groups and the storylines to follow when international football returns in February.
2027 Women’s Nations League Draw
Women’s Nations League 2027 draw: All groups confirmed
The competition features 16 teams in League A, 16 in League B and 22 in League C.
League A groups
| Group | National teams |
|---|---|
| A1 | Spain, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland |
| A2 | France, England, Austria, Portugal |
| A3 | Denmark, Italy, Iceland, Wales |
| A4 | Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland |
The four League A group winners qualify for the Nations League finals. Teams finishing second retain their places in the top division, while third-placed teams enter relegation play-offs and fourth-placed teams are automatically relegated.
League B groups
| Group | National teams |
|---|---|
| B1 | Serbia, Belgium, Albania, Romania |
| B2 | Ukraine, Czechia, Greece, Lithuania |
| B3 | Poland, Finland, Northern Ireland, Belarus |
| B4 | Slovenia, Türkiye, Hungary, Kosovo |
The four League B group winners earn automatic promotion to League A, while the runners-up enter promotion play-offs.
League C groups
| Group | National teams |
|---|---|
| C1 | Slovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Gibraltar |
| C2 | Latvia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Liechtenstein |
| C3 | Israel, Faroe Islands, North Macedonia, Andorra |
| C4 | Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, San Marino |
| C5 | Malta, Moldova, Cyprus |
| C6 | Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Armenia |
The six League C group winners secure automatic promotion to League B, while the two best-ranked runners-up enter promotion play-offs.
League A analysis: Four groups, four different challenges
The League A draw brings together several of Europe’s strongest national teams. Only one country from each group can advance to the Nations League finals, leaving little room for inconsistency across the six-match league phase.
Group A1: Can Spain continue their Nations League dominance?
Spain enter the 2027 edition looking to defend a trophy they have won twice, having claimed both the inaugural 2023/24 title and the 2025 competition. Their opponents are Norway, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.
Spain’s record in the competition makes them an obvious team to watch, but their group offers different challenges. Norway have the potential to challenge the holders, while the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland will be looking to establish themselves against top-level opposition.
One of the key questions is whether Spain can maintain their consistency across the entire league phase. A single unexpected result could have significant consequences when only the group winner advances.
Group A2: England and France face another major test
England and France have been drawn together in one of the competition’s headline groups. The two nations will meet home and away, alongside Austria and Portugal, in a group where the battle for first place could be particularly competitive.
For England, the draw presents an opportunity to test themselves against strong European opposition under Sarina Wiegman. France will also have ambitions of reaching the finals, making their direct encounters especially important.
Austria and Portugal should not be overlooked. Both have the opportunity to influence the group standings, particularly if they take points from either of the higher-profile teams.
The challenge for England and France will be to perform consistently against all three opponents rather than focusing exclusively on their meetings with each other.
Group A3: Denmark, Italy, Iceland and Wales face an open contest
Group A3 brings together Denmark, Italy, Iceland and Wales.
Unlike groups featuring defending champions Spain or the high-profile England-France matchup, this section offers an intriguing contest without an immediately obvious outcome.
Denmark and Italy will both aim to challenge for first place, while Iceland and Wales have opportunities to make the group competitive. Home results could be especially significant. With six matches determining the final standings, avoiding dropped points against direct rivals will be crucial.
The group also presents an opportunity for Wales to measure their progress against established European opposition.
Group A4: Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden collide
Group A4 stands out as one of the toughest sections of the draw. Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden are joined by Scotland, creating a group in which every match could have consequences for qualification and relegation.
Germany enter as one of the leading contenders, having finished at the top of their League A group in the 2026 Women’s European Qualifiers. The Netherlands will be aiming to challenge for the Nations League finals, but their route is demanding. They must face Germany and Sweden twice, while also navigating two matches against Scotland.
Sweden’s presence adds another established European contender to the group, making the direct encounters between the three nations particularly significant. Scotland, meanwhile, return to League A after earning promotion from League B. Their challenge will be to compete consistently at the higher level and secure the points needed to remain in the division.
The central question is whether one nation can establish control early or whether the group will remain competitive until the final June matchdays.
Five storylines to follow in the 2027 Women’s Nations League
Beyond the group allocations, the draw has created several narratives worth following throughout the competition.
1. Spain chase a third consecutive Nations League title
Spain have won both previous editions of the Women’s Nations League. Another successful campaign would extend their dominance in a competition that has so far produced only one champion.
However, the road to the trophy begins with winning Group A1. Even the defending champions must finish ahead of three opponents before they can reach the knockout finals.
2. The Netherlands face a demanding route to the finals
For the Netherlands, the Group A4 draw provides an immediate test against Germany and Sweden.
With Scotland also competing for points, there are no straightforward assumptions to make about the final standings.
The Netherlands’ home matches could be particularly important, but their performances away to direct rivals may ultimately determine whether they can win the group.
3. England and France renew their rivalry
England against France is one of the most attractive fixtures produced by the draw.
Both teams have ambitions of competing at the highest level, and their two encounters could be decisive in Group A2.
The wider challenge is equally important: Austria and Portugal have opportunities to disrupt the expected battle between the two headline nations.
4. League B offers a route back to Europe’s top division
League B features several countries that previously competed in League A, including Belgium, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine and Slovenia. Belgium have been drawn against Serbia, Albania and Romania, while Poland face Finland, Northern Ireland and Belarus.
For these nations, the competition is about more than winning individual matches. Finishing first means automatic promotion, while second place offers another opportunity through the play-offs.
This makes League B an important part of the tournament rather than simply a supporting competition beneath the Nations League finals.
5. San Marino begin a new chapter in women’s international football
One of the most significant developments in League C is the inclusion of San Marino. The country enters senior women’s international competition for the first time and has been drawn alongside Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Estonia in Group C4.
The Nations League provides San Marino with an opportunity to begin competing regularly against other European national teams.
While the battle for the title will attract much of the attention, San Marino’s participation is a reminder that the competition also supports the wider development of international women’s football.
Why promotion and relegation matter for Women’s EURO 2029
The Women’s Nations League has implications beyond the 2027 trophy. The final league positions will determine where national teams compete during the European Qualifiers for UEFA Women’s EURO 2029.
In League A, the group winners advance to the Nations League finals, while the top two teams in each group retain their positions in the division. Third-placed teams must contest play-offs against League B runners-up, and fourth-placed teams are automatically relegated.
League B group winners move up to League A, while League C group winners are promoted to League B. This system means that even teams outside the title race have important objectives. A nation might be fighting to reach the finals, earn promotion or simply preserve its position in a higher league.
For supporters, it also gives matches between teams lower in the standings genuine competitive significance.
For the full explanation of the format, groups and qualification rules, visit our UEFA Women’s Nations League competition guide.
Women’s Nations League 2027 fixtures and key dates
The 2027 league phase takes place across three international windows between February and June.
| Competition stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Matchdays 1 and 2 | 23 February–6 March 2027 |
| Matchdays 3 and 4 | 13–24 April 2027 |
| Matchdays 5 and 6 | 7–15 June 2027 |
| Finals and play-off draws | 18 June 2027 (provisional) |
| Semi-finals | 4–12 October 2027 |
| Promotion/relegation play-offs | 4–12 October 2027 |
| Final and third-place play-off | 23 November–4 December 2027 |
Every League A and League B team plays six group matches, facing each opponent once at home and once away. League C includes two three-team groups, whose members play four matches each.
The individual match dates, kick-off times and venues will be confirmed separately. For the latest schedule information and results throughout the competition, visit our Women’s Nations League 2027 fixtures and results page.
Which teams are best placed to reach the finals?
Spain’s record as two-time defending champions makes them a natural contender in Group A1. Group A2 offers a compelling contest between England and France, although Austria and Portugal will have opportunities to influence the outcome.
Group A3 looks particularly interesting because Denmark, Italy, Iceland and Wales each have reasons to view the draw as an opportunity. Meanwhile, Group A4 may be the most demanding of all, with Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden competing alongside promoted Scotland.
These are early assessments rather than firm predictions. Team selection, injuries, form and results in the opening international window could all change the outlook. What is certain is that only four nations will emerge from League A to contest the Nations League finals.
What happens next?
With the draw completed, attention now turns to the individual fixture schedule and preparations for the opening international window in February 2027. The league phase will conclude in June, determining the four finalists and the teams involved in promotion and relegation.
The semi-finals will follow in October, before the third-place play-off and final are contested over two legs in November and December.
For the latest developments, fixtures, standings and match coverage, follow our Women’s Nations League hub as the competition approaches.
The 2027 edition promises major encounters between Europe’s leading nations, but the competition’s wider appeal extends across all three leagues. From Spain’s pursuit of another trophy to San Marino’s international debut, the draw has created storylines worth following well beyond the headline fixtures.
2027 Women’s Nations League Draw
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