GENEVA — UEFA has proposed a revamp of qualifying for the 2030 World Cup and 2032 European Championship that could end mismatches between the strongest and weakest teams.
The new format mirrors the Champions League structure, aiming to revive fan interest and broadcaster appeal amid growing predictability in traditional men's qualifying groups.
Why Reform Is Needed
In recent years, lopsided results have raised concerns among teams and supporters. Notable examples include France beating Gibraltar 14-0 in a Euro 2024 qualifier and Austria's 10-0 win over San Marino in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin first revealed plans for reform last year, acknowledging that many traditional qualifying groups had become too predictable to hold audience attention.
Proposed New Format
Under the plan, the 36 best-ranked teams would form a top tier, competing in three groups of 12. Each team would play six games against six different opponents, with results compiled in a 12-team league table.
Teams would be drawn from three seeding pots, ensuring a weighted schedule of two matches against opponents from each pot. This structure fits within existing FIFA-mandated international windows from September to November without adding extra games to player workloads.
Tiered Structure
The 36 top teams would not face opponents ranked Nos. 37 to 55 by UEFA. Those teams would compete in a separate tier, retaining a path through playoffs to qualify for major tournaments.
A final decision on the proposed revamp is expected in September, following an UEFA executive committee meeting held on the sidelines of the Europa League final in Istanbul, Turkey.
"The concept will be fine-tuned over the next few months before being submitted for final approval of the detailed format at the next Executive Committee meeting," UEFA stated.
The governing body did not specify how many direct qualifying spots would be awarded from each 12-team group.
Context Around 2030 World Cup
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted primarily by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with three opening games in South America. The tournament is scheduled to feature 48 teams, with Europe allocated 16 qualifying slots.
FIFA has received a request from South American soccer body CONMEBOL to consider expanding the tournament to 64 teams.