A new system for men’s international football competitions has been approved to begin from 2028, bringing significant changes to how national teams in Europe compete in both tournaments and qualification campaigns.
The redesigned format introduces a more structured, league-based approach aimed at improving match quality and competitiveness across all levels.
Under the new system:
- The UEFA Nations League will be expanded and reorganized into broader divisions, creating more evenly matched groups than before
- The top-ranked European teams will be placed into a new elite league tier (often referred to as League 1)
- Instead of traditional group stages, this top tier will follow a more flexible, Swiss-style format, where teams play a set number of opponents drawn from different ranking pools
- Lower-ranked nations will compete in separate leagues with tailored pathways for progression and qualification
- The system will be more directly connected to qualification for major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship
The goal of the reform is to:
- Make international matches more competitive and less predictable
- Reduce one-sided fixtures between stronger and weaker nations
- Increase fan interest and broadcasting value
- Preserve fair qualification opportunities for smaller football nations
Overall, this reform represents a shift toward a more club-style competition model in international football, where league structures and integrated qualification systems replace traditional group-based formats starting from 2028.