BRUSSELS, Feb 12 /ATA/ – The draw for the new edition of the UEFA Nations League took place in Brussels on Thursday, placing Albania in Group C1 alongside Finland, Belarus, and San Marino.
Albania’s campaign will kick off in September 2026, with the group stage opening match scheduled between September 24-26 and the second match set for September 27-29.
The third fixture will take place from September 30 to October 3, followed by the fourth match from October 4-6. The fifth and sixth games are scheduled for November 12-14 and November 15-17, respectively.
Albania is currently ranked 63rd in the FIFA standings, while Finland is 75th, Belarus 98th, and San Marino 210th.
Under UEFA rules, group winners are promoted to League B, while runners-up may enter the playoff stage depending on the final format. Albania’s objective is clear: to top the group and return to League B, while securing an alternative path toward qualification for EURO 2028.
The Nations League remains a key competition for European national teams, directly influencing UEFA rankings and additional qualification routes for major tournaments.
A notable change for this edition is the revised international calendar. For the first time, UEFA has combined the September and October windows into a single extended period, with four matches to be played from September 24 to October 6 and the final two matches from November 12-17. The new format aims to reduce travel demands on players and follows extensive consultations with European clubs.
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