The 2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League returns with a familiar format that features all 41 member associations competing across three leagues. The tournament not only crowns the region’s Nations League champion but also serves as an important pathway to qualification for the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Here’s everything fans need to know about the competition’s structure, promotion and relegation, and how teams advance to the knockout rounds.
How many teams compete in the 2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League?
A total of 41 national teams from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) participate in the tournament.
The teams are divided into three leagues:
- League A: 12 teams
- League B: 16 teams
- League C: 13 teams
Each league features its own promotion and relegation system, ensuring every match has significance.
League A format
League A features the region’s top 12 national teams.
The teams are split into two groups of six, but unlike a traditional round-robin tournament, each nation does not face every other team in its group.
Instead, each team plays:
- Four total matches
- Two home matches
- Two away matches
At the end of group play:
- The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals.
- The last-place team from each group is relegated to League B for the next Nations League cycle.
How do the quarterfinals work?
The quarterfinals include eight teams:
- Four teams that qualify through the League A group stage.
- Four highest-ranked CONCACAF nations, which receive automatic byes directly into the quarterfinals based on the July 2026 CONCACAF rankings.
The quarterfinals are played over two legs:
- First leg
- Second leg
The aggregate winners advance to the Nations League Finals.
Nations League Finals format
The final four teams compete in a single-host tournament in March 2027.
The Finals include:
- Semifinals
- Third-place match
- Championship Final
The winner of the championship match is crowned the 2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League champion.
League B format
League B consists of 16 teams, divided into four groups of four.
Each team plays every opponent in its group both home and away for a total of six matches.
At the conclusion of group play:
- Group winners are promoted to League A.
- Last-place teams are relegated to League C.
League C format
League C includes 13 national teams.
The league is divided into:
- One group of five teams
- Two groups of four teams
The winners of each group earn promotion to League B for the next edition of the competition.
Promotion and relegation
One of the most unique aspects of the CONCACAF Nations League is its promotion and relegation system.
Promotion
- Four League B group winners move up to League A.
- Three League C group winners move up to League B.
Relegation
- Two last-place teams in League A drop to League B.
- Four last-place teams in League B drop to League C.
This format rewards consistent performance while keeping every match meaningful throughout the tournament.
2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League schedule
The competition will be played during FIFA international windows across the 2026-27 season.
Group Stage
- September 2026
- October 2026
Quarterfinals
- November 2026
Nations League Finals
- March 2027
Why the tournament matters
Beyond lifting the Nations League trophy, teams are competing for valuable ranking points, promotion opportunities, and qualification toward the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Every match can impact a nation’s standing within the region and influence future tournament seeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in League A?
League A consists of 12 national teams divided into two groups of six.
How many games does each League A team play?
Each team plays four group-stage matches, including two home and two away fixtures.
Which teams receive byes to the quarterfinals?
The four highest-ranked CONCACAF national teams based on the July 2026 rankings advance directly to the quarterfinals.
How many teams qualify for the Nations League Finals?
Four teams qualify after winning their quarterfinal matchups.
Does the CONCACAF Nations League have promotion and relegation?
Yes. Teams can move between Leagues A, B, and C based on their performances, with promotions and relegations occurring after each edition.
Final Thoughts
The 2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League continues to provide meaningful competitive matches for all 41 member nations while adding drama through promotion, relegation, and knockout-round qualification. With League A’s expanded format, automatic quarterfinal byes for the region’s highest-ranked teams, and Gold Cup qualification implications, every international window promises high-stakes soccer throughout the 2026-27 campaign.