The league phase begins on September 24 and will see all of the national teams from the Western Balkans take part, with several intriguing fixtures involving the region’s leading footballing nations. The first international window will run through October 6, before the club season resumes.
Serbia will compete in League A, Group 2 alongside Greece, the Netherlands and Germany. The team will open its campaign at home against Greece on September 24 at Belgrade’s Rajko Mitić Stadium, before facing the Netherlands three days later. Serbia will then travel to Germany on October 1 and the Netherlands on October 4.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, will play in League B against Poland, Romania and Sweden. Its first match comes on September 25 away to Poland, followed by Romania, Sweden and another meeting with Poland during the opening international window. Bosnia and Herzegovina arrives with renewed attention after its 2026 World Cup campaign, with a generation of young players attracting interest from clubs across European football.
Croatia enters a new era following Zlatko Dalić’s departure after the 2026 World Cup. The Croatian Football Federation appointed former national-team coach Slaven Bilić as his successor, bringing him back to the bench for a second spell. Croatia will face Czechia, Spain and England in League A, Group 3, beginning away to Czechia on September 26. The team will then travel to Spain on September 29, host England in Rijeka on October 3 and welcome Spain to Split on October 6.
One of the major storylines surrounding Croatia will be Luka Modrić. The veteran captain, who has made 202 appearances for his country, confirmed that he will continue playing for Croatia in the new Nations League campaign, putting retirement speculation on hold.
His presence will add another chapter to one of the longest and most decorated international careers in Croatian football.
Slovenia and North Macedonia will meet in League B, Group 1 alongside Scotland and Switzerland. Slovenia begins against Scotland on September 26 before hosting North Macedonia on September 29, while North Macedonia opens against Switzerland. Slovenia may not have the same footballing profile as some of its neighbours, but the country continues to produce high-profile players, most notably goalkeeper Jan Oblak and forward Benjamin Šeško.
Albania will compete in League C against Belarus, Finland and San Marino, opening against Belarus on September 26. Meanwhile, Kosovo* is in League B, Group 3 with the Republic of Ireland, Austria and Israel. Kosovo* begins its campaign at home against Ireland on September 24, followed by Israel three days later. Israel’s participation in UEFA competitions has long attracted political debate because of the country’s geography and the wider political context, but its membership in European sporting competitions has been established for decades.
Montenegro will also begin its campaign on September 25, hosting Cyprus at Podgorica City Stadium. The players will then travel to Armenia and Latvia before continuing the group stage in October and November.
With an increasing number of players from the region moving to leading European clubs, as well as leagues in North America, Mexico and other parts of the world, the Nations League offers another opportunity to see the depth of footballing talent emerging from the Western Balkans. Over the next two weeks, the focus will shift from European club competitions to national-team football, with the region’s sides facing a demanding schedule of international fixtures.
