How the Nations League impacts Italy’s Euro 2028 qualifying draw

Italy begin their 2026–27 Nations League campaign, targeting a top-three finish in their group to secure a seeding spot in the Euro 2028 qualifying draw.

Italy host Belgium in the opening game of the 2026-27 Nations League this evening.

Nations League: promotion and relegation system explained

The Azzurri’s path through the competition will have a considerable impact on the 2028 Euro qualifiers, as Gazzetta explains.

The Nations League has four groups of four teams each. Winners and runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals. The two highest-ranked third-placed teams remain in League A. The two lowest-ranked third-placed teams face the two highest-ranked fourth-placed teams for a relegation play-off. The two lowest-ranked fourth-placed teams are dropped to League B.

How the Nations League impacts Euro 2028 qualifying draw

Most importantly, the first, second, and third-ranked teams in each Nations League group will be seeded for the Euro 2028 qualifiers draw on December 6 in Belfast.

The 54 countries competing for a place at the Euros will be divided into 12 groups; six groups will include four teams, and the other six will include five; 24 teams will qualify for the competition.

The 12 group winners and the eight highest-ranked runners-up get direct access to the Euros. The remaining four runners-up will have to go through a qualification play-off.