UEFA is preparing to fundamentally reform the international football calendar starting from the 2028-29 season. According to the new plan, traditional qualifying stages will be replaced by a Swiss-style league format similar to the Champions League. European nations will move away from repetitive fixtures, facing a wider variety of opponents across different levels to increase competition. This is reported by Goal.com .
The current Nations League format will also undergo significant changes. Instead of the current four divisions, three leagues of 18 teams each will be established. These divisions will be split into three groups of six teams, with each national team playing six matches against five different opponents. This system avoids teams playing only the same rivals.
The reforms will also affect the World Cup and European Championship qualifying stages. Under the new structure, teams will be divided into two divisions: 36 top-tier national teams in the first league, and the remaining 18 or 19 teams in the second. Each team in the top league will play six different opponents, ending boring and repetitive group stage matches.
UEFA will retain certain successful elements, specifically the promotion and relegation system between leagues. The best-performing teams in the top league will qualify directly for the final tournament, while remaining spots will be determined through high-stakes play-offs. This provides lower-ranked teams with a mathematical chance to reach major tournaments.
These large-scale changes are expected to come into effect after the conclusion of the 2028 European Championship. UEFA will announce final details regarding the match schedule and broadcasting packages in the coming months. Fans and players are closely monitoring how this congested calendar will impact domestic leagues and international football dynamics.
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