Zidane, Klopp Headline New Era as Nations League Kicks Off Thursday

The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League opens this week with ten European nations debuting new head coaches, including Zinedine Zidane with France and Jurgen Klopp with Germany.

The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League begins Thursday, and the biggest storylines are on the sidelines. Ten European nations have hired new head coaches since this summer's World Cup in North America, headlined by Zinedine Zidane taking over France and Jurgen Klopp leading Germany.

Zidane, 54, succeeds Didier Deschamps after his 14-year run ended with the World Cup. The France legend, who won three Champions League titles as Real Madrid coach, starts with away matches against Turkey on Friday and Belgium three days later, then hosts Italy at the Stade de France on October 2 and Belgium again the following Monday. "The France job was the only one I wanted," Zidane said in July.

Klopp, 59, takes over Germany after Julian Nagelsmann departed following a poor World Cup. He called up 44 players split into two squads and opens Thursday against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, then hosts Greece three days later, plays Serbia in Munich on October 1, and visits Greece on October 4. "This is ideally the high point of my career, of my life, my professional life," Klopp said at his unveiling.

Other new faces include Jorge Jesus, whose Portugal debut comes Thursday when the defending champions host Wales. Xavi Hernandez replaces Ronald Koeman with the Netherlands, Roberto Mancini returns to Italy, Mark van Bommel starts with Belgium against Italy, and Slaven Bilic begins a second Croatia stint after leading the team from 2006 to 2012.

Spain's Luis de la Fuente stayed put and signed an extension through 2032. His world champions open their campaign Saturday against Thomas Tuchel's England at Wembley.