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Klopp, Zidane, Xavi Lead New Nations League Coaches
The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League will feature several new faces in the dugout when the League A campaign begins on Thursday, September 24, with high-profile coaches including Jürgen Klopp, Zinédine Zidane, Xavi Hernández and Roberto Mancini taking charge of their respective national teams.
Klopp will make his international coaching debut with Germany after a distinguished club career that included nine years at Liverpool, where he won the UEFA Champions League and Premier League. He previously led Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League final.
His first assignment will be against Xavi’s Netherlands in one of the opening round’s headline fixtures.
Xavi, a former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, also begins a new chapter with the Netherlands. During his playing career, he won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with Barcelona, while with Spain he lifted the 2008 and 2012 European Championship titles and the 2010 World Cup.
He later moved into management, winning the Qatari league with Al-Sadd before guiding Barcelona to the 2022/23 La Liga title.
Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, will begin their title defence under Jorge Jesus, who has won league titles in Portugal, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. His first match will be against Wales.
France will also have a new manager in Zidane, who returns to coaching after several years away from the dugout.
The former France international won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 as a player and later guided Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018. His first competitive match with France will be against Türkiye.
Mancini is returning for a second spell as Italy coach. He previously led the Azzurri to victory at Euro 2020 and third-place finishes in two editions of the Nations League. Italy will face Belgium in his first match back.
Belgium, meanwhile, have appointed former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel, who has previously coached PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp. He will make his senior international management debut against Italy.
Croatia have recalled former defender Slaven Bilić, who previously managed the national team from 2006 to 2012. His first match back will be against Czechia.
Czechia will be led by Santi Denia, who moves into senior international management after a successful spell with Spain's youth teams, including winning the 2024 Olympic gold medal. He will face Croatia in his first Nations League match.
The opening League A fixtures will also see England face Spain, while Serbia meet Greece and Norway take on Denmark.
The first four matchdays of the 2026/27 Nations League are scheduled for September 24 to October 6, with the final two league-phase rounds set for November 12 to 17.
The League A quarter-finals and promotion/relegation play-offs will take place in March 2027, while the Nations League Finals are scheduled for June 9 to 13, 2027.
