UEFA is planning a major overhaul of the qualification system for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and future European Championships, with a new format inspired by the UEFA Champions League’s Swiss-style model.
According to a report published by the Economic Times on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the proposed structure would replace the traditional qualifying groups with a league-style competition aimed at producing more competitive fixtures and reducing one-sided matches between Europe’s strongest and weakest national teams.
Under the proposal, the 36 highest-ranked European nations would compete in League A, which would be divided into three groups of 12 teams.
Rather than facing every team home and away, each country would play six different opponents during the qualification campaign.
Lower-ranked countries would compete in a separate League B structure, while playoff opportunities are expected to remain part of the qualification pathway for major tournaments.
UEFA is still finalising details of the qualification process, but group winners in League A are expected to secure automatic qualification for tournament finals.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said the reforms are designed to modernise European international football without expanding the current international calendar.
The European football governing body is expected to formally approve the proposal during its executive committee meeting scheduled for September 2026.
The planned reforms would also affect the UEFA Nations League from the 2028–29 season.
Under the proposal, the competition would move from its current four-tier structure to three leagues of 18 teams each, with nations playing five different opponents during the league phase.
The report also stated that 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosts Spain and Portugal would automatically qualify for the tournament finals but would still participate in the qualification competition for Nations League-related objectives.
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
