Women's Nations League: dates, games, and everything you need to know

After the success of the first two editions of the Nations League in men's football, UEFA wisely decided to give the same opportunity to women's football and create the Women's Nations League.

Just like in the men's version, the Portuguese national team, due to its position in the UEFA rankings, was placed in the "top European division," where they will face some of the strongest national teams in the world and contribute to the growth of women's football in Portugal.

Format of the 1st edition of the Women's Nations League

While the men's counterpart has four divisions, the 1st edition of the Women's Nations League has three (League A, League B, and League C), accommodating a total of 51 European national teams. The only exceptions compared to the men's tournament are the absence of Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino, and Russia.

Following the UEFA rankings, Leagues A and B consist of 16 teams each, divided into four groups of four teams. League C, on the other hand, comprises 19 national teams, spread across four groups, with three groups having five teams each and one group having four teams. These teams will play against each other in a home-and-away format.

The winner of each group in League A will secure a spot in the final four, which will take place in a single country yet to be determined. In addition to competing for the title of the first edition of the UEFA Women's Nations League, the two finalist teams will earn a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Note that France, which is in Portugal's group, is already qualified for the 2024 Olympics as the host country.

The second-placed teams in each group in League A will secure a place in the top division of European women's football, while the third-placed teams will compete in a two-legged relegation/promotion playoff with the second-placed teams from League B. The fourth-placed teams in League A will automatically be relegated.

In Leagues B and C, the mechanics are similar, with the top teams in each group earning direct promotion to League A and League B, respectively. The second-placed teams will qualify for a two-legged playoff to try and move up a division. The third-placed teams in each group in League B and the second-placed teams in League C will compete in a relegation/promotion playoff, and the fourth-placed teams in League B will automatically be relegated. The winners of each group in League C will secure direct promotion to League B.

It's worth noting that in future editions of the Women's Nations League, the competition will serve as a qualification process for the European Championship and the World Championship.

The "Navegadoras" in a Sea Full of "Big Fish"

After a World Cup where they held the USA, the best women's national team of all time, our "Navegadoras" (a nickname for the Portuguese women's national team) have gained a status and respect never seen before in the global women's football landscape.

Their excellent campaign in the Australia/New Zealand Women's World Cup not only confirmed the growth of Portuguese women's football but also propelled the "Navegadoras" to 19th place in the FIFA rankings and a spot in the top division of the inaugural edition of the UEFA Women's Nations League.

Placed in Group A2 alongside France, Norway, and Austria, Portugal enters this competition with the firm goal of continuing to surprise the world of women's football and securing their place in League A.

The challenge is formidable. As mentioned, they will face France, ranked 5th in the FIFA rankings and 6th in the last two World Cups, the always competitive and former World (1995) and Olympic (2000) champion Norway, which, despite undergoing a renewal process, is a contender for victory in every tournament, and Austria, a team that finished fourth in the 2017 European Championship when Portugal made its first appearance in a major international women's competition.

All the dates for the national team's matches

Portugal kicked off their campaign in the first edition of the Women's Nations League on September 22, 2023, in Valenciennes against France. In front of more than 20,000 spectators, the "Navegadoras" put up a strong fight and could have left France with a spectacular draw if not for some bad luck in finishing and goals from Geyoro (27 minutes) and Bacha (89 minutes).

Following this defeat, which did not dent Portugal's aspirations to stay in the top division of European women's football, the Estádio Municipal de Barcelos will host the Portuguese team in an exciting match against Norway on September 26 at 18:15.

For the third and fourth rounds, on October 27 and 31, respectively, two crucial matches in the battle for maintenance are scheduled. The national team will first travel to Austria before hosting the same team at a location yet to be announced.

In the 5th round, on December 1, Francisco Neto's team will travel to Norway, and on December 5, they will host France for the final group stage match.

If Portugal wins the group or must compete for maintenance against a second-placed team from one of the League B groups, the matches are scheduled for February 2024.