2024-2025 UEFA Nations League: First Round Kicks Off

The 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League (UNL) begins tomorrow, Thursday 5 September, with reigning champions Spain visiting Serbia in their opening Group A4 clash.

La Roja, fresh off a Euro 2024 triumph, are favourites in a group that also includes Denmark and Switzerland. Despite injuries sidelining key players such as captain Álvaro Morata, Spain’s squad features rising stars like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

Serbia, promoted to League A after a strong previous campaign, faces a challenging opener without several important players, including Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. New faces, such as Aston Villa’s Kosta Nedeljkovic, will look to impress against the titleholders.

Elsewhere, England starts a new era following Gareth Southgate’s departure, with interim manager Lee Carsley at the helm. England will meet Ireland in Dublin and Finland at Wembley, aiming to rebound from their relegation to League B.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to lead Portugal, who seek their second UNL title under the stewardship of Roberto Martinez who stepped into the role last year .

Meanwhile, new managers debut across the continent, including Ireland’s Heimir Hallgrimsson and Sweden’s Jon Dahl Tomasson.

With format changes introducing quarter-finals in March, this edition also carries significant implications for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

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