European football is preparing for a historic transformation. During a meeting of its Executive Committee in Istanbul, UEFA approved a comprehensive reform for the Qualifiers, which will begin to be implemented for the next qualification for the 2030 World Cup.
In the new format, UEFA will divide its teams into two major categories based on their performance in the Nations League, using a structure similar to the current league phase of the Champions League.
The first group, called League 1, will consist of 36 teams belonging to Leagues A and B of the Nations League. There, three groups of 12 teams will be formed, and each team will play six matches against six different opponents, chosen by draw. The top teams from each group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the remaining spots will be determined through a playoff system.
The European Qualifiers will undergo a drastic change for the next World Cup.
In parallel, League 2 will gather the remaining teams, which will be distributed into two groups of six and one of seven teams, and will also retain opportunities to compete for World Cup spots through repechages. Another important novelty will be that the host teams of the World Cups will also have to compete in the Qualifiers, as those results will influence promotions, relegations, and future placements within the Nations League.
UEFA believes that this new system will help avoid the traditional "groups of death” and allow European powerhouses greater room for recovery in the face of adverse results, by playing more matches and having broader tables.
"The new format will improve competitive balance, reduce the number of inconsequential matches, and offer a more attractive and dynamic competition for fans, without adding additional dates to the international calendar
The UEFA Nations League will also undergo changes
Alongside the modifications to the Qualifiers, it has also been confirmed that the Nations League will undergo a significant restructuring starting from the 2028/29 edition. The tournament will leave behind its four-division format and will be organized into three leagues of 18 teams each, while League C will have 19 teams to complete the 55 affiliated federations.
The Nations League will also have important changes in its format.
Each league will havethree groups of six teams and the format of play will change considerably. There will no longer be a traditional round-robin: each team will play six matches against different opponents, defined by draw and pots. However, UEFA will maintain the current decisive phases, such as the quarter-finals, the Final Four, and the promotion and relegation playoffs.
