UEFA Unveils Champions League-Style World Cup Qualifiers

UEFA has approved a new qualification format for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will feature a Champions League-style system. This format will replace the traditional group draw and is inspired by UEFA's Swiss system, debuting in club football during the 2024-25 campaign.

The top 36 ranked teams in Europe will be divided into three groups of 12, where teams will play against six selected opponents rather than all teams in their group. The top three teams from each league group will automatically qualify for either the European Championship or the World Cup, while remaining spots will be filled through playoff contests.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin stated that this proposal aims to improve competitive balance and deliver an engaging tournament structure without adding extra international dates to the calendar. The new format is expected to receive final approval in September.

The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with Spain and Portugal automatically receiving bids due to their co-hosting status.