BRUSSELS (AP) — European champion Spain was drawn in the same group as England and Croatia for the next edition of the Nations League on Thursday.
The Czech Republic completes what looks like the most testing of the four top-tier League A groups.
Spain and England are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the FIFA rankings and played each other in the final of Euro 2024, which Spain won. Croatia was a semifinalist at each of the last two World Cups.
Defending Nations League champion Portugal was grouped with Denmark, Norway and Wales.
France was drawn against Italy, Belgium and Turkey.
Germany, Netherlands, Serbia and Greece are in the other League A group.
The 2026-27 Nations League group phase runs from September to November. The top two in the League A groups then play in the quarterfinals in March 2027, with the final tournament in June.
Ireland and Israel are in the same group in League B, which could be the cause of some tension.
Ireland’s soccer federation voted in November to submit a motion to UEFA to ban Israel from competitions organized by European soccer’s governing body.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) cited two alleged violations of UEFA statutes by the Israel Football Association. The first was “organizing clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without the consent of the Palestinian FA” and the second was “the alleged failure of the IFA to enforce an effective anti-racism policy.”
But on Thursday the FAI confirmed it would fulfill its games against Israel -- noting potential sanctions such as disqualification if it refused to play.
League A
Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Turkey
Group A2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece
Group A3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czech Republic
Group A4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales
League B
Group B1: Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, North Macedonia
Group B2: Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, Northern Ireland
Group B3: Israel, Austria, Ireland, Kosovo
Group B4: Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden
League C
Group C1: Albania, Finland, Belarus, San Marino
Group C2: Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, Latvia/Gibraltar
Group C3: Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Group C4: Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Luxembourg/Malta
League D
Group D1: Latvia/Gibraltar, Luxembourg/Malta, Andorra
Group D2: Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Portugal's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
DENVER (AP) — Brandon Marsh hit a three-run homer as part of a seven-run first inning, Aaron Nola pitched efficiently into the seventh and the Philadelphia Phillies spoiled Colorado’s home opener by beating the Rockies 10-1 on Friday.
The Phillies set the tone early by sending 11 batters to the plate against Michael Lorenzen (0-1) to begin the game. They finished with 13 hits, including three homers — all by lefties — with the wind blowing from left field. Marsh hit a sinker that went a projected 454 feet to the second deck in right-center. In the second, Bryce Harper launched a solo shot. Kyle Schwarber added a 460-foot drive to right field in the fifth.
Nola (1-0) scattered five hits and gave up one run over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out nine — the bullpen had six more — as Philadelphia won its eighth straight over Colorado. The latest one marked the Rockies' most lopsided loss in a home opener.
It also was win No. 350 for Phillies manager Rob Thomson, making him the fastest to reach the mark in club history (604 games).
There were 48,366 fans who showed up on a sunny but cool afternoon. The Rockies, a team coming off three straight 100-loss seasons, dropped to 18-16 in home openers, including 17-15 at Coors Field.
It was a rough outing for Lorenzen, who allowed nine runs and 12 hits over three innings. Mickey Moniak had one of Colorado's five hits in his first game of the season. Moniak started on the injured list due to a sprained right ring finger.
The Rockies were coming off a three-game series win in Toronto. They didn't capture their first series last season until early June against Miami.
The Phillies will throw lefty Jesús Luzardo (0-1, 9.00 ERA) on Saturday. The Rockies hadn't announced a scheduled starter, but right-hander Chase Dollander (1-0, 9.00) is expected to get some work.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen calls for a new ball after giving up a three-run home run to Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From left to right, Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh celebrate as Marsh crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola works against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, right, congratulates Kyle Schwarber after his solo home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh, right, follows the flight of his three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
