The Eagles, Finland's national football team, will embark on their journey without star player Teemu Pukki, who has decided to focus on prolonging his career with HJK instead of participating in international duties. Head coach Jacob Friis will lead the team to New Zealand in March, where they will face two teams participating in the upcoming World Cup: New Zealand and Cape Verde. This development marks a significant moment for the national team as they navigate the transition with younger players stepping up in Pukki's absence.

On Thursday, the draw for the Nations League groups took place in Brussels. Finland has been placed in the second seed alongside Slovakia, Armenia, and Bulgaria, which means they will not face these teams in their group. Instead, they will compete against Albania, Belarus, and San Marino. The draw's uniqueness is highlighted by the presence of Belarus, which raises political concerns given the current tensions surrounding the country. This adds a layer of complexity to the upcoming matches, as political factors could influence the atmosphere during the games.

As the Nations League campaign begins at the end of September, all eyes will be on Finland's performance and whether they can adapt to the absence of one of their most potent scorers in Pukki. The national team must rally to make a strong impression in their group, while also carefully navigating the political implications of facing Belarus. The coming months will be crucial as they prepare to face not only sporting challenges but also the wider context of international relations that could play a role in their matches.