UEFA Unveils Six-Game World Cup Qualifier Groups for Major and Minor Nations
UEFA announced a major overhaul of World Cup qualifying and the Nations League: from 2030, teams in the qualifying groups will be split into 12-team groups with six matches against six different opponents (two from each of three pots), moving away from a full home-and-away round robin; the top teams in League 1 will automatically qualify for the World Cup while the remaining spots go to playoffs, and the 18 lower-ranked nations form League 2 with ongoing qualification paths. From 2028 the Nations League will be restructured into three divisions of 18 (three groups of six) with six matches against five opponents and ongoing promotion/relegation. Ceferin says the changes aim to boost competitive balance, reduce dead rubbers, and avoid adding calendar dates.