Uefa revamps qualifying to end mismatches against minnows

Europe’s leading nations will no longer face lopsided matches against minnows such as San Marino or Andorra in men’s World Cup and European Championship qualifying after Uefa approved a new format designed to produce more competitive fixtures.

The structure, which takes effect after Euro 2028, will be based on the most recent Nations League rankings, The Guardian reported in April. It incorporates elements of the Swiss system used in Uefa’s club competitions over the past two seasons, effectively creating larger groups.

The change, approved by Uefa’s executive committee in Istanbul on Wednesday, will create three groups of 12 teams in League 1. The lower 18 nations — potentially 19 if Russia are reinstated — will play in three groups of six or two of six and one of seven within League 2. Each team will play six matches, three home and three away, drawn from three pots based on ranking.

An unspecified number of teams in each League 1 group will qualify directly for the tournament, with a playoff competition accommodating some who fall short along with a number from League 2. Allocations will vary by tournament: 24 teams reach a European Championship, while 16 spots are currently available for Europe at World Cups. Host nations will qualify automatically but are expected to participate in the new format.

The format largely mirrors a revamped Nations League, which will consolidate into three leagues of 18 teams — League A, League B and League C — from its current four. These will be divided into groups of six, with teams playing six games against five opponents, one home and one away. A League C group would expand to seven teams if Russia returns. The knockout stages will remain unchanged. The 36 teams in League A and League B of the Nations League will form League 1 of the World Cup and European Championship qualifiers, with League 2 mirroring League C.

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.”

Leading countries and broadcasters had pushed for Uefa to update a system widely seen as stale, with England among the nations routinely cantering to major tournaments. Europe’s football associations discussed a range of proposals last month before settling on the plan. Some smaller nations may be unhappy that the near guarantee of high-profile games in qualifying has been effectively removed.

The new-look Nations League will begin in 2028-29. Final approval is expected at Uefa’s next executive committee meeting in Thessaloniki on Sept. 15.