UEFA is overhauling European national team qualification with a Champions League-style format targeting the 2030 World Cup. The 36 highest-ranked countries split into three groups of 12 in League A, playing six opponents drawn through a Swiss-system method. Three group winners in League A would earn direct finals berths.

The setup keeps top and bottom-ranked teams apart, eliminating one-sided qualifiers. League B groups of six or seven feed into cross-league playoffs for remaining spots. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the changes improve competitive balance and cut dead rubbers, though full details still need approval at the September executive committee meeting.

2030 co-hosts Spain and Portugal qualify automatically but still enter the qualifying competition with objectives tied to the revamped Nations League. That competition shifts from four leagues to three leagues of 18 teams starting 2028-29, each split into three groups of six. UEFA's executive committee must still sign off on the full format.