Die Mannschaft to face the Dutch Oranje

The opening of the current season (2026-2027) of the UEFA Nations League features several heavyweight football clashes, with the first major encounter set to be between the Netherlands and their guests, Germany.

Both the German and Dutch national teams will enter the ongoing edition of the Nations League under new leadership. The “Oranje” have opted to bring in Spanish coach Xavi Hernández, former manager of Barcelona, to replace Ronald Koeman, who left the team after their World Cup exit in the Round of 32 following a loss to Morocco.

Meanwhile, Germany has convinced Jürgen Klopp to return to coaching after two years away from the dugout since his departure from English club Liverpool, during which time he took on an administrative role within the Red Bull club group. This move aims to rescue the “Machines” after their early World Cup exits in the last three tournaments: 2018 under Joachim Löw, 2022 under Hansi Flick, and most recently 2026 under Julian Nagelsmann.

For its part, Portugal, the defending champions and winners of the Nations League twice in 2019 and 2025, begins a new era under the experienced manager Jorge Jesus, who took charge in early July, succeeding Spanish coach Roberto Martínez, who left the team after their World Cup elimination in the Round of 16 with a loss to Spain.

Jesus will kick off his tenure with Portugal in Group Four with a mixed schedule of matches. The team will face Wales today, travel to Denmark as guests on October 1, and then engage in two heavyweight fixtures against Norway, led by Manchester City star Erling Haaland and his teammates, on Sunday next in Oslo and on October 4 in Lisbon.

In other matches today, Norway will play Denmark, while Serbia will face Greece.