The autumn international window opens on Thursday with a top-tier line-up that reads more like a knockout draw than a group stage. In Lisbon, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead Portugal out against Wales in what has been reported as his farewell in the red shirt. In Amsterdam, two new head coaches make their debut on the same night. And 48 hours later, the world champions arrive at Wembley for a rematch of the Euro 2024 final.
The 2026-27 UEFA Nations League league phase begins on 24 September with eight fixtures, spread across the four divisions. Norway host Denmark in the same League A group as Portugal-Wales, and Serbia meet Greece as Klopp is unveiled next door.
Ronaldo’s rumoured farewell in Lisbon
The story of the night in League A4 is not really the fixture. It is the man expected to start it. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is reported to be set for a farewell appearance for Portugal against Wales at the Estádio José Alvalade, the Sporting ground where he first announced himself more than two decades ago.
Nothing has been announced by Ronaldo, the Portuguese federation or Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus, who was appointed after the summer World Cup. Jesus has said Ronaldo will remain in his plans.
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“As long as he’s playing and is in a condition to be selected, I will pick him, within certain limits,” Jesus said.
Klopp and Xavi meet on their first night
At the Johan Cruyff Arena, Netherlands vs Germany doubles as the competitive debut of two coaches whose names would not usually be found on the same team sheet. Jürgen Klopp takes charge of Germany for the first time in a competitive match, and Xavi Hernández makes his first appearance on the Netherlands bench.
Klopp was appointed in July after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following Germany’s shock last-16 defeat to Paraguay at the World Cup. Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman a month later, after the Dutch went out to Morocco at the same stage.
Xavi framed the assignment as a step into deep water in his pre-match remarks.
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“I feel excited. It’s a big challenge from the beginning, but I think we will be ready,” he said, describing Germany as “one of the best teams in Europe” with “one of the best coaches in the last years, Jürgen Klopp.”
The world champions come to Wembley
Two nights later, England host Spain at Wembley at 7.45pm BST on Saturday. It is Spain’s first competitive match since Ferran Torres’s extra-time finish secured a 1-0 win over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, Spain’s second world title and their first since 2010.
It is also the same pairing that decided the last continental final. Spain beat England 2-1 in Berlin to win Euro 2024, when Mikel Oyarzabal came off the bench to score a late winner.
Friday night has its own centrepiece: Italy vs Belgium in League A1, with Türkiye vs France on the same evening.
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Kick-off times, Thursday to Saturday
Portugal vs Wales, Netherlands vs Germany, Norway vs Denmark and Serbia vs Greece all kick off at 8.45pm local time on Thursday. Italy vs Belgium and Türkiye vs France follow at 8.45pm local time on Friday. England vs Spain at Wembley is at 7.45pm local time on Saturday.
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