Turkey v France and Italy v Belgium Headline Nations League Return

France travel to Turkey and Italy host Belgium as the Nations League returns with eight ties across Europe on 25 September.

The night is built around six 7.45pm BST kick-offs. Turkey v France and Italy v Belgium top the bill, alongside Hungary v Ukraine, Sweden v Romania, Poland v Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro v Cyprus, according to The Guardian. Two games start earlier at 5pm BST: Georgia v Northern Ireland and Armenia v Latvia.

The Nations League is UEFA's international competition, played in ranked groups with promotion and relegation. Turkey v France and Italy v Belgium both sit in League A Group A1, the top tier, where France, Italy, Belgium and Türkiye are grouped together, according to UEFA.

France arrive under Zinedine Zidane. He takes his team away to a Turkey side still led by Vincenzo Montella. Turkey need a lift. They finished bottom of a 2026 World Cup group containing the USA, Australia and Paraguay.

Italy are starting again too. Roberto Mancini is back as manager for the Euro 2028 cycle, six years after he led Italy to Euro 2020 glory. It follows another painful exit. Italy missed out on a third straight World Cup finals earlier in 2026.

Mancini has named a 34-man squad for this Nations League period, with 10 players based outside Serie A, Italy's top division. Brentford's Michael Kayode was in line for a senior debut against Belgium. Mohamed Ali Zoma of Nurnberg was also called up.

Belgium provide a stern first test. They are led by Mark van Bommel. His trip to Italy is one half of a heavyweight Group A1 double-header.

The rest of the 7.45pm programme spreads wide. Hungary face Ukraine. Sweden meet Romania. Poland play Bosnia and Herzegovina. Montenegro take on Cyprus. Short, sharp night. Plenty to follow.

There is early action as well. Georgia host Northern Ireland at 5pm. Armenia host Latvia at the same time.

The fixtures follow an eye-catching start elsewhere in League A. Jurgen Klopp's first match as Germany manager ended 1-1 with the Netherlands after Cody Gakpo struck in injury time. The Netherlands were led by Xavi.

What makes this stand out is the number of fresh beginnings in one evening. Zidane with France. Mancini back with Italy. Van Bommel with Belgium. Klopp and Xavi already underway in Group A2. For fans, this means new faces, new systems, and a first proper read on where each nation stands after the World Cup.