UEFA is preparing a major change to the qualification system for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and future European Championships, with plans to introduce a new format inspired by the UEFA Champions League’s “Swiss system.”
According to reports by the Economic Times, the proposed structure would replace the traditional qualification groups with a league-style format aimed at making matches more competitive and reducing one-sided encounters between Europe’s strongest and weakest national teams.
Under the proposed system, the 36 highest-ranked European countries would compete in League A, which would be divided into three groups of 12 teams each.
Rather than playing every team home and away, each country would face six different opponents during the qualification campaign.
Lower-ranked nations would compete in a separate League B structure, while playoff opportunities are expected to remain part of the qualification pathway for major tournaments.
Although UEFA is still finalising details of the system, the winners of each League A group are expected to qualify automatically for tournament finals.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said the reforms are part of efforts to modernise European international football while maintaining the current international calendar.
Read Also:
Super Eagles Set to Learn AFCON 2027 Qualifying Opponents
The proposal is expected to be formally discussed and approved during UEFA’s executive committee meeting in September.
The changes would also affect the UEFA Nations League from the 2028–29 season.
Under the new proposal, the Nations League would move from its current four-tier structure to three leagues of 18 teams each, with countries playing five different opponents during the league phase.
Meanwhile, co-hosts Spain and Portugal would automatically qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup but would still participate in qualification matches for Nations League-related purposes.
The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco
