'Small Title' But Big Gauge of Progress

Nations League Finals offer report card for European giants ahead of 2026 World Cup

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MUNICH - The Nations League Finals start on June 4 as Germany, Spain, France and Portugal seek to fine-tune their sides with the World Cup just a year away.

Tournament hosts Germany meet Portugal in Munich and titleholders Spain play France in Stuttgart a day later. The winners will face off in the Bavarian capital on June 8.

Created in 2018, the Nations League lacks the history and esteem of football's major international tournaments and has been criticised for adding to an already crowded calendar.

But as Spain and France have shown in recent years, the competition can be a perfect launchpad to reach greater heights.

France's Nations League triumph in 2021 came just over a year before their run to the World Cup final in Qatar, where they lost on penalties to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.

Spain, runners-up to France in 2021, beat Croatia on penalties to win the 2023 Nations League. A year later, the Spaniards were crowned European champions.

While some of the larger nations have fielded experimental lineups, recent winners have used the tournament to develop and improve.