Key things to keep an eye on in the UEFA Nations League

Here are five exciting storylines to keep an eye on across the continent as we head into two rounds of fixtures over the next six days, starting on September 5th.

Spain are on a high after their magnificent triumph at the Euro and their gold-medal success at the Paris Olympics.

Luis de la Fuente’s side are quickly back in action and have another title to defend, having won the last edition of the Nations League. La Roja are in Group 4 of League A and begin with an awkward double-header, a trip to Serbia being followed by a meeting with Switzerland in Geneva. Denmark complete the group.

Their squad do not feature the injured Alvaro Morata, Unai Simon or Mikel Merino, who all played in the Euro final, but young star wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are involved. There are also new faces in Oscar Mingueza, the former Barcelona right-back now at Celta Vigo, and Valencia midfielder Pepelu.

“We will keep fighting and trying to go as far as possible in every competition,” insisted de la Fuente.

After missing out on Euro glory, England begin a new era with coach Gareth Southgate having stepped down.

He has been replaced on an interim basis by Lee Carsley, the Under-21 coach. Carsley, 50, is for now only in charge for this double-header of Nations League matches, as England play Ireland in Dublin and host Finland at Wembley.

The English Football Association are buying themselves time as they search for a permanent successor to Southgate, with 2026 World Cup qualifying not beginning until next March.

But a good start may see them keep faith in Carsley for the rest of the Nations League campaign, in which England also play Greece after being relegated from the top-tier League A following the last edition.

Carsley’s first squad is missing Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden due to injuries and illness, but there are call-ups for the uncapped Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento and Angel Gomes.