The UEFA Women’s Nations League returns in February 2027 for its third edition, bringing together 54 European national teams across three leagues. With promotion, relegation and a place in the Nations League finals at stake, the competition will also influence the qualifying structure for UEFA Women’s EURO 2029.
The league-phase draw took place on 3 November 2026 in Nyon, Switzerland, producing several intriguing groups. Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Scotland will compete in League A Group A4, while England and France have been drawn together in Group A2.
The 2027 competition introduces San Marino to senior women’s international football for the first time, adding another milestone to the development of the women’s game in Europe. This guide covers the confirmed groups, competition format, match dates, qualification rules and the road to the 2027 Women’s Nations League final.
Women’s Nations League 2027 at a glance
| Competition details | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Women’s Nations League |
| Edition | Third |
| Participating nations | 54 |
| Leagues | A, B and C |
| League-phase draw | 3 November 2026 |
| League phase | February–June 2027 |
| Nations League finals | October–December 2027 |
| Defending champions | Spain |
| Next qualifying cycle | UEFA Women’s EURO 2029 |
UEFA Women’s Nations League 2027 groups
The 54 participating nations are divided into three leagues based on the final overall rankings from the 2026 Women’s European Qualifiers. League A and League B each contain 16 teams, divided into four groups of four. League C contains 22 teams, divided into four groups of four and two groups of three. Every nation plays home and away against the other teams in its group. League A and B teams therefore play six matches each, while League C teams in three-team groups play four.
League A groups
The League A brings together Europe’s highest-ranked national teams, including defending Nations League champions Spain.
| Group | 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 Women’s Nations League finals.
Group A4 promises several high-profile encounters, with Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden joined by Scotland. France and England will also meet twice during the league phase, while Spain begin their title defence against Norway, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.
League B groups
League B features 16 national teams competing for promotion to Europe’s top tier.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| B1 | Serbia, Belgium, Albania, Romania |
| B2 | Ukraine, Czechia, Greece, Lithuania |
| B3 | Poland, Finland, Northern Ireland, Belarus |
| B4 | Slovenia, Türkiye, Hungary, Kosovo |
The four group winners earn automatic promotion to League A for the Women’s EURO 2029 European Qualifiers. The second-placed teams will have another opportunity to move up through promotion/relegation play-offs against League A opposition.
League C groups
League C features 22 national teams, including San Marino, which will participate in senior women’s international competition for the first time.
| Group | 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 group winners secure promotion to League B for the next Women’s European Qualifiers. The two best-ranked runners-up also have an opportunity to earn promotion through play-offs.
Women’s Nations League 2027 fixtures and results
The 2027 Women’s Nations League begins in February, with the league phase taking place across three international windows. Each team faces its group opponents at home and away, with matches scheduled between February and June. The complete match-by-match programme, including confirmed kick-off times, venues and results, will be available on our dedicated Women’s Nations League schedule page.
Women’s Nations League fixtures, schedule and results
Women’s Nations League 2027 calendar
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| League-phase draw | 3 November 2026 |
| 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, two legs | 4–12 October 2027 |
| Promotion/relegation play-offs | 4–12 October 2027 |
| Final and third-place play-off, two legs | 23 November–4 December 2027 |
These dates represent the official match windows. Individual fixture dates and kick-off times should be checked against the confirmed match schedule.
How does the UEFA Women’s Nations League work?
The Women’s Nations League operates through a league system designed to provide competitive international matches between nations of similar rankings. Teams compete in three divisions, with opportunities to earn promotion or avoid relegation. During the league phase, teams receive three points for a victory, one point for a draw and no points for a defeat. The four League A group winners advance to the Nations League finals, while the other teams compete for league positions that influence the next Women’s European Qualifiers.
How are the Women’s Nations League champions decided?
The four League A group winners qualify for the knockout finals. The finals consist of two semi-finals, a third-place play-off and the final. Every tie is played over two legs, with the draw determining the semi-final pairings and the home team for each first leg.
The winning finalist is crowned the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League champion. Spain enter the competition as defending champions.
Women’s Nations League promotion and relegation explained
Promotion and relegation are an important part of the competition because the final league positions determine where national teams begin the European Qualifiers for Women’s EURO 2029.
Promotion and relegation from League A
The top two teams in each League A group retain their positions in the top division.
The four third-placed teams enter two-legged play-offs against the runners-up from League B.
The four teams finishing bottom of their League A groups are automatically relegated to League B.
Promotion and relegation from League B
The four League B group winners are automatically promoted to League A.
The four runners-up enter promotion play-offs against League A’s third-placed teams.
The two best-ranked third-placed teams play against the two best-ranked League C runners-up for places in League B.
The two lowest-ranked third-placed teams and all four fourth-placed teams are relegated to League C.
Promotion from League C
All six League C group winners earn automatic promotion to League B.
The two best-ranked runners-up enter two-legged play-offs against League B opposition.
The remaining League C teams stay in the third division for the next European qualifying cycle.
How does the Women’s Nations League affect Women’s EURO 2029 qualifying?
The 2027 Women’s Nations League does more than determine a continental champion. Its final standings establish the league positions for the European Qualifiers leading towards UEFA Women’s EURO 2029. Teams promoted to a higher league will compete in that division during the next qualifying cycle, while relegated nations will begin in a lower division.
This gives every league-phase match additional significance, even for teams that cannot qualify for the Nations League finals. However, winning a Nations League group does not itself guarantee qualification for Women’s EURO 2029. The tournament has its own qualifying process.
Women’s Nations League standings
The 2027 Women’s Nations League tables will track the progress of national teams throughout the league phase.
Each group is ranked according to results, with points awarded for wins and draws. The standings will determine which teams reach the finals, earn promotion, enter play-offs or face relegation.
The league phase begins in February 2027. Group standings and results can be followed as the competition progresses.
Women’s Nations League match previews and analysis
Throughout the competition, womenfootball.blog will cover important international fixtures, including team news, recent form, tactical analysis and match predictions.
Our dedicated match-previews page brings together coverage of Women’s Nations League matches.
Read our Women’s Nations League match previews
You can also explore our wider coverage of international women’s football, including the qualification process for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Women’s Nations League history and previous winners
The UEFA Women’s Nations League was introduced in 2023, providing a new competitive structure for women’s national-team football across Europe. Spain won the inaugural 2023/24 competition and retained the trophy in 2025.
| Edition | Champions |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Spain |
| 2025 | Spain |
| 2027 | To be decided |
The 2027 edition will determine whether Spain can claim a third consecutive title or whether another European nation can lift the trophy.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League start?
The league phase begins during the international window from 23 February to 6 March 2027. The competition continues in April and June before the knockout finals later in the year.
How many teams participate in the Women’s Nations League?
A total of 54 national teams participate in the 2027 edition. League A and League B each contain 16 teams, while League C contains 22.
Who won the previous Women’s Nations League?
Spain won both the inaugural 2023/24 competition and the 2025 edition, making them the defending champions in 2027.
How many teams qualify for the Women’s Nations League finals?
Four teams qualify for the finals: the winners of the four League A groups.
When is the 2027 Women’s Nations League final?
The two-legged final will be played during the international window from 23 November to 4 December 2027.
Does the Women’s Nations League determine qualification for Women’s EURO 2029?
The Nations League determines which league teams will compete in during the Women’s EURO 2029 European Qualifiers. It does not directly award places at the final tournament.
Where can I find the Women’s Nations League 2027 fixtures?
Visit our Women’s Nations League schedule page for fixture information, match dates and results as the competition progresses.
