The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)
UEFA is planning a major overhaul of the qualification system for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and future European Championships, with a new format inspired by the UEFA Champions League’s “Swiss system.”
As reported by the Economic Times on Thursday, the proposed structure would replace the traditional qualifying groups with a league-style competition designed to create more competitive matches and reduce the number of one-sided fixtures involving 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.
