UEFA Proposes Champions League-Style Qualification for 2030 World Cup

UEFA is set to overhaul the qualification system for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and future European Championships, introducing a format inspired by the Champions League’s “Swiss system.”

According to plans reported on Thursday, the traditional qualifying groups would be replaced with a league-style competition aimed at producing more competitive matches and reducing lopsided fixtures between Europe’s strongest and weakest nations.

Under the proposed structure, the 36 highest-ranked European national teams would feature in League A, divided into three groups of 12 teams each. Rather than playing every opponent home and away, each team would face six different rivals during the qualification campaign.

Lower-ranked nations would compete in a separate League B, though playoff opportunities are expected to remain available for reaching major tournaments.

UEFA is still finalising the full process, but League A group winners are anticipated to qualify automatically for tournament finals.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stated that the reforms aim to modernise European international football while preserving the current international calendar. The proposal is expected to receive formal approval at the governing body’s executive committee meeting in September.

The reforms will also impact the UEFA Nations League from the 2028-29 season, shifting 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 participate in the qualification competition for Nations League-related objectives. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are set to co-host the tournament.