UEFA is planning a major change to how European teams qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with a new system inspired by the Champions League.
The proposed format would replace the traditional qualifying groups with a league-style competition, according to a report by the Economic Times on Thursday. The aim is to create more competitive matches and reduce one-sided fixtures between Europe’s strongest and weakest nations.
Under the plan, the 36 highest-ranked European national teams would compete in League A, divided into three groups of 12 teams. Instead of playing every nation home and away, each team would face six different opponents during the qualification campaign.
Lower-ranked nations would compete in a separate League B structure, with playoff opportunities expected to remain part of the pathway to major tournaments.
UEFA is still finalising the full qualification process, but League A group winners are expected to qualify automatically for tournament finals.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said the reforms are intended to modernise European international football while maintaining the current international calendar. The governing body is expected to formally approve the proposal during its executive committee meeting in September.
The reforms would also affect the UEFA Nations League from the 2028-29 season. 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.
Under the proposal, 2030 World Cup co-hosts Spain and Portugal would qualify automatically for the finals but would still take part in the qualification competition for Nations League-related objectives. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will co-host the tournament.
