Uefa has announced major changes to European qualifiers and the Nations League, introducing a Champions League-style format for national team qualification in time for the 2030 World Cup. The 36 highest-ranked countries will be split into three groups of 12 in League A, with each team playing six opponents in a 'Swiss system' similar to Uefa's club competitions since 2024-25.
League B will feature three groups of six, or two of six and one of seven, depending on the number of competing nations. The three group winners in League A will qualify directly for the finals of the European Championship or World Cup, with the remaining spots allocated via play-offs involving teams from both leagues. This format aims to keep the highest and lowest-ranked teams apart, reducing one-sided qualifiers.
Uefa's executive committee is expected to fully approve the new format for Euro and World Cup qualification at a meeting in September. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said the changes will improve competitive balance, reduce dead matches, and offer a more appealing competition for fans without adding extra dates to the international calendar.
The 2030 co-hosts Spain and Portugal will qualify automatically but will still participate in qualifying with objectives linked to the Nations League. Additionally, Uefa plans to overhaul the Nations League from the 2028-29 edition, replacing the current four leagues with three leagues of 18 teams each, divided into three groups of six. The existing quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will remain in the March and June international windows.
