Montenegro and Albania have made particularly strong starts, while Serbia and North Macedonia remain without a point and Croatia have endured a difficult campaign so far.
Serbia have had the toughest start among the region’s League A sides, losing all four of their matches. Defeats to Greece, the Netherlands and Germany were followed by another 2–1 loss to the Netherlands, leaving Serbia at the bottom of Group A2 without a single point. The disappointing results have come despite changes around the national team and expectations that the new cycle would bring a fresh start. Serbia will have two more opportunities in November, hosting Germany on 13 November before travelling to Greece on 16 November.
Montenegro, meanwhile, have been one of the region’s strongest performers. Playing in League C, Mirko Vučinić’s side collected wins over Cyprus and Latvia before drawing with Armenia twice, leaving them top of Group C2 with 10 points. The result keeps Montenegro firmly in contention for promotion to League B, with the final two matches against Latvia and Cyprus scheduled for November. Vučinić, who took charge of the national team in 2025, has also continued to integrate young players into the squad.
Bosnia and Herzegovina have also enjoyed a solid campaign, remaining unbeaten after four matches with two wins and two draws. Their latest 1–0 victory over Poland moved them to eight points and kept them near the top of Group B4, behind Sweden. The team will face Sweden away on 14 November before hosting Romania on 17 November, with the final two rounds set to determine the group’s promotion and relegation picture.
Croatia have perhaps endured the most dramatic setback among the region’s traditionally strongest sides. After opening with a 2–1 win over Czechia, Croatia suffered a 4–1 defeat to Spain and then a 7–0 home loss to England in Split.
They responded with a much closer performance against Spain on 6 October but ultimately lost 2–1, leaving them with just three points from four matches. The result means Croatia will need strong performances against England and Czechia in November to improve its position.
Albania have made an encouraging start in League C, winning three of their first four matches and sitting at the top of Group C1 with nine points. Their only defeat came against Finland, while they recorded two victories over San Marino and another against Belarus. Albania will play Finland on 12 November before travelling to Belarus on 15 November, with first place and promotion hopes still firmly within reach.
Kosovo* have also remained in contention in League B, with one win and three draws putting them on five points in Group B3. Their next two fixtures will be particularly important as they face Israel on 14 November and the Republic of Ireland on 17 November. Slovenia, meanwhile, have collected two wins, one draw and one defeat in Group B1. Their latest 2–1 victory away to Scotland followed wins over North Macedonia and leaves them in second place behind Switzerland, setting up a crucial home meeting with Switzerland on 13 November before a final trip to North Macedonia on 16 November.
North Macedonia have had the opposite experience, losing all four of their matches in Group B1 and remaining without a point. After defeats to Switzerland, Slovenia and Scotland, they were beaten 3–0 by Switzerland on 6 October. Their final two matches will come against Scotland on 13 November and Slovenia on 16 November. With only two rounds remaining, the November window will bring the first major conclusions of the Nations League campaign, before attention returns to club football across the region.
