Lionesses to face France and Portugal in Nations League

What the report says

England’s women have been drawn with France, Austria and Portugal in next year’s UEFA Women’s Nations League, according to BBC Sport Football. The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland, and places Sarina Wiegman’s side in Group A2 alongside three familiar opponents. England previously met Portugal in the last Nations League campaign, while France and Austria have also been recent rivals in major tournament qualifying.

The group stage is scheduled across three international windows in February-March, April and June 2027, with each team playing home and away fixtures. BBC Sport reported that the competition’s third edition will also feed into qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games and Euro 2029, adding extra significance to the results.

Wiegman said France would provide a high-level test because of their quality, athleticism and technical strength, while noting Portugal’s ability to vary their style of play. More broadly, the draw also set up challenging groups for the other home nations: Scotland will meet Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden; the Republic of Ireland will face Spain, Norway and Switzerland; Wales were paired with Denmark, Italy and Iceland; and Northern Ireland were drawn with Poland, Finland and Belarus.

The top team in each League A group will advance to the semi-finals in October 2027, with the final to follow later that year. Fixture dates and venues have not yet been announced.