What started as an experiment to replace meaningless international friendlies has become one of the most competitive shortcuts to silverware in the international game. Portugal are the reigning champions, beating Spain 5-3 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the 2025 final at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
How the Format Works
The 54 UEFA member nations are split into four leagues — A, B, C and D — based on results from the previous edition, then further divided into groups for a home-and-away round-robin. League A’s top finishers advance to two-legged quarter-finals, with the four winners heading to a single-elimination Finals weekend featuring semi-finals, a third-place match and the final itself.
Portugal’s Path to the Trophy
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal beat hosts Germany in the semi-final before edging Spain in a final that lived up to every bit of its Iberian-derby billing. The win made Portugal the first two-time winners in the competition’s history, adding to their inaugural 2019 triumph.
Why the Competition Matters
- World Cup qualification implications — strong Nations League form can influence seeding and, in some cycles, offer a direct playoff route
- Promotion and relegation between leagues keeps every match meaningful, even for nations with no shot at silverware
- A genuine trophy — unlike the old friendly windows it replaced, the Nations League now carries real prestige and prize money
What’s Next
The next edition begins in September 2026, with League A again headlined by the sport’s biggest federations, several of whom just went head-to-head at the 2026 World Cup. Expect plenty of crossover storylines with the Ballon d’Or race, since strong Nations League form has repeatedly boosted the profile of leading candidates in recent years, and with the Champions League calendar, which the Nations League format was specifically redesigned to complement. Portugal will enter as defending champions on both fronts, giving their autumn fixtures an added layer of intrigue as the new cycle gets underway.