UEFA is planning to introduce a Champions League-style format for national team qualifying competitions in time for the 2030 World Cup.

Axar.az reports, citing ESPN, that UEFA is preparing a major overhaul of the qualification system.

Under the proposal, the 36 highest-ranked European national teams will be placed in League A and divided into three groups of 12 teams. Each team will play six matches against different opponents, in a format similar to the “Swiss system” introduced in UEFA club competitions.

League B will consist of lower-ranked teams and will be structured into smaller groups, with the exact format depending on the number of participating nations.

According to the plan, the three group winners in League A will qualify directly for the finals of the European Championship or the World Cup, while the remaining qualification spots will be decided through playoff matches involving teams from both League A and League B.

UEFA stated that the new system is designed to reduce one-sided matches, improve competitive balance, and make qualification more attractive for fans without increasing the number of international fixtures.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said the reforms will “improve competitive balance, reduce the number of dead matches, and offer a more dynamic competition for fans while ensuring fair qualification opportunities for all teams.”

The changes are expected to be formally approved at the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in September.

In addition, UEFA is also planning changes to the Nations League starting from the 2028–29 season, including a restructuring into three leagues of 18 teams each.