What channel is Slovenia vs Scotland on? TV coverage, streaming, kick-off time and predicted XI
How to watch Slovenia vs Scotland in the UEFA Nations League as Sebastien Pocognoli takes charge of first match as new manager
Scotland take on Slovenia in their first match of their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign on Saturday afternoon, with new manager Sebastien Pocognoli looking to get things off to a flying start. The Belgian was appointed back in August, after Steve Clarke led the side to another bitterly disappointing performance at a major tournament.
They got the 2026 World Cup off to a decent enough start, claiming their first win at a major tournament since 1996 by edging their way past Haiti. A narrow defeat to Morocco followed, before they were comprehensively beaten by Brazil. Then came an agonising wait, which culminated in the side packing their bags after failing to land one of the knockouts spots reserved for the best performing third-placed sides.
All focus will now be on the bold new dawn under Pocognoli who, much like Wales boss Craig Bellamy, has promised a braver, more front-footed approach to international football. He’s called up a total of eight uncapped players to his first squad including Brondby’s Lewis Binks and Stoke City’s Lewis Graham, as well as handing 16-cap blast from the past Oli McBurnie a recall five years on from his last appearance for the nation.
Ahead of Scotland’s eagerly anticipated clash against Slovenia, we’ve got all the TV coverage information you need to watch the game from the comfort of you own home - if you’re not lucky enough to be out in Ljubljana, that is.
What channel is Slovenia vs Scotland on?
BBC One Scotland will provide full televised coverage of Slovenia vs Scotland. The programme will start at 1:45pm, with just 15 minutes of pre-match coverage before the 2:00pm kick-off. The news will no doubt come as a relief to avid viewers of Homes Under the Hammer, which precedes the afternoon kick-off. The game will also be streamed on the BBC iPlayer.
Scotland will play a total of four matches during the international break, as they look to earn promotion back to the A tier of the Nations League. After their clash against Slovenia at the 16,000-seater Stadion Stozice, Pocognoli will take charge of his first game at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening, when they face World Cup quarter-finalists Switzerland.
The Swiss will be without both skipper Granit Xhaka and star striker Breel Embolo, which should be a huge boost Scotland’s hopes of bagging three points. After hosting Switzerland, Scotland will be back on their travels to face North Macedonia in Skopje, before rounding things off with a second game against Slovenia back at Hampden next Saturday next.
What happens if Scotland win their Nations League group?
The Nations League is split into three separate phases. First up, Scotland will play each team in their group both home and away. This process takes place between the current international break and a shorter one in November, when Pocognoli’s side will wrap things up with another crack at Switzerland and North Macedonia.
Should Scotland emerge from their six matches sitting top of the group, they’ll be back in the A tier when the Nations League rolls around again after Euro 2028. The format will change at that point - you can read about it here, if you’ve truly got nothing better to do - to three massive, 18-team leagues, a bit like the current European club cup competitions.
Finish second, and Scotland will face a two-legged promotion play-off fixture in March, where they’ll be pitted against a lower-ranked third-place team from League A. Win that, and they’ll be promoted. A third-place finish no longer means relegation, and would see the side remain in the B tier with no threat of dropping down into the depths of C.
If Scotland have a truly disastrous campaign that sees them finish bottom of their group, they won’t be automatically relegated. Instead, they’ll enter a play-off against a runner-up from League C. Win, and they’ll remain in B, but a defeat would mean relegation down to the second-bottom tier.
Scotland predicted line-up vs. Slovenia (3-4-2-1): Gunn; Hendry, McKenna, Welsh; Robertson, Ferguson, Gilmour, Hickey; McGinn, Christie; McBurnie.