No more England v San Marino! Plans for new UEFA Champions League-style qualifying format ahead of 2030 World Cup announced
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/22/image-068d0790-e404-47d7-bb28-adf4a3f67059-68-310-310.png)
Published 20/05/2026 at 19:51 GMT+1
React to this story
UEFA is preparing to overhaul qualification for international tournaments by introducing a Champions League-inspired format for European national teams ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
Bellingham? Rogers? Eze? TNT Sports experts break down England's No. 10 debate
Video credit: TNT Sports
The revised format is designed to improve competitive balance and reduce 'dead matches', such as England's 10-0 victory over San Marino during their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in November 2021.
There have been regular examples of one-sided contests when lower-ranked nations have been pitted against elite opposition - so European football's governing body have sought to create a two-tier system which will ensure more competitive qualifying matches.
The move is in keeping with the recent changes to the UEFA Champions League, with nations set to play six games in European qualifiers - with an equal split of home and away - rather than the current eight matches during the league phase of Europe's premier cup competition.
The 2028 UEFA Nations League will determine the top 36 countries, who will then be drawn into three groups of 12 teams in League 1 for the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The remaining 18 UEFA nations will play in a separate qualifying tournament, League 2, which would be incorporated into a conventional play-off system involving those counties from League A who failed to qualify automatically.
This way, nations who would ordinarily only be relying on a play-off spot via the back door for major tournaments through their Nations League performance will view qualification prospects more favourably through performing well in League 2.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/05/20/image-5fe0e477-521e-4d2e-b38a-e7b0120aace5-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Martinez praises 'exemplary' Ronaldo ahead of World Cup
Video credit: SNTV
Previously, countries in Nations League C and League D were often solely reliant on those above them in the interim overall ranking system - established based on the results of each league - booking their place at tournaments automatically through the conventional qualifying route.
The key developments from Wednesday's UEFA announcement were:
- Under the proposed structure, Europe's 36 highest-ranked nations would be placed into three divisions of 12 teams in League 1, with qualification determined through a "Swiss system" model in which each side faces six different opponents.
- No more home and away against the same set of opponents, and each nation will play six qualifiers, as opposed to some playing eight games in bigger groups.
- Teams finishing top of their respective League 1 sections would qualify automatically for either the European Championship or World Cup finals, while the remaining qualification places would be settled through a play-off system involving nations from both League 1 and League 2.
- UEFA believes the revamped format would deliver greater competitive balance, minimise the number of low-stakes fixtures and create a more engaging qualification campaign without adding extra matches to the international calendar.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/30/image-a6defeb8-e1a8-49e8-985e-068927012817-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Total belief’ – Tuchel full of confidence in England squad
Video credit: SNTV
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: "The new formats will improve competitive balance, reduce the number of dead matches, offer a more appealing and dynamic competition to fans, while ensuring a fair qualification chance for all teams and without adding any additional dates in the international calendar.
"Altogether, the changes will grow the value of UEFA men's national team football and we are very much looking forward to the implementation of the new competition systems."
- Barcelona turn to Chelsea star, Silva targets Madrid move - Euro Transfer News
- Six defining moments that delivered Arsenal's first league title in 22 years
The governing body is also considering significant changes to the Nations League from the 2028/29 cycle onwards, with plans for a three-tier structure comprising 18 teams in each league, split into three groups of six.
Under the proposed model, 2030 World Cup co-hosts Spain and Portugal would receive automatic qualification for the tournament finals but would still participate in the qualifying campaign, with their involvement tied to Nations League-related objectives and seeding implications.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/04/09/image-99ae90fb-0e23-4de2-958a-d54ad47b4ed7-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Watkins 'almost impossible' to leave out of England squad, insists Hargreaves
Video credit: TNT Sports
Will the Nations League still provide a qualifying safety net?
UEFA have also announced plans to revamp the Nations League from 2028 onwards, introducing a new three-division structure featuring 18 teams in each tier, split across three groups of six.
Under the revised format, nations would continue to play six matches during the league phase, though fixtures would come against five different opponents rather than the current setup.
Teams would be divided into three seeding pots of six. In practice, a nation placed in Pot One would face one fellow top-seeded side home and away, while also taking on two teams from Pot Two and two from Pot Three, either home or away.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/05/20/image-d1408398-e56f-468b-b6fe-90426e79d2d9.jpeg)
The 2026/27 Nations League will continue with the existing format
Image credit: Getty Images
UEFA intends to retain the competition's existing knockout and movement structure, meaning semi-finals, finals, promotion and relegation would all remain part of the revamped tournament format.
There has not been confirmation yet about the additional incentive of receiving a play-off safety net through gaining promotion from one League to another - but a clearer picture will emerge in the autumn.
UEFA's executive committee is expected to give final approval to the proposed overhaul of European qualification for the European Championship and World Cup at its meeting in September, formally green-lighting the new competition structure.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement