Major-minor nations split in World Cup qualifying
UEFA will create a two-tier qualification process for the 2030 World Cup. This will mean major countries will no longer play minor nations such as San Marino, Gibraltar and Andorra. Qualification has also been completely revamped to mirror the Champions League format.
Under the new rules, the top 36 countries, as determined by the 2028 edition of the Nations League, will be drawn into three groups of 12 teams in League 1. The remaining 18 nations will play in a separate tournament. For the 2026 World Cup, some countries played six qualifiers, but some played eight; now all will play six. Every team in the 12-team group will play six home-or-away matches against six different opponents - two per pot. The remaining 18, lower-ranked countries will take part in League 2. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: "The new formats will improve competitive balance, reduce the number of dead matches, offer a more appealing and dynamic competition to fans, while ensuring a fair qualification chance for all teams and without adding any additional dates in the international calendar."
UEFA also announced that the Nations League would be restructured from 2028, into three divisions of 18 teams, each with three groups of six teams. Teams will still play six matches, but against five different opponents. There will be three pots, each with six teams.
Quick Summary
UEFA is changing the World Cup qualifying format for European nations - a move that will separate major and minor teams. The new structure aims to create a fairer system, but what does this mean for the future of competition?
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