UEFA is reportedly planning a major overhaul of the qualification system for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and future European Championships, introducing a new format inspired by the UEFA Champions League “Swiss system.”

According to a report by the Economic Times on Thursday, the proposed structure would replace traditional qualifying groups with a league-based competition aimed at creating more competitive fixtures and reducing mismatched games between Europe’s strongest and weakest national teams.

Under the proposal, the 36 highest-ranked European teams would compete in League A, divided into three groups of 12 teams each.

Instead of the conventional home-and-away format against every opponent, each team would face six different nations during the qualification campaign.

Lower-ranked countries would compete in a separate League B structure, with playoff routes expected to remain part of the qualification pathway to major tournaments.

UEFA is still finalising the details of the new system, but group winners in League A are expected to qualify automatically for the tournament finals.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said the proposed changes are aimed at modernising international football in Europe while maintaining the existing global match calendar.

The governing body is expected to make a final decision on the reform during its executive committee meeting in September.

The changes would also extend to the UEFA Nations League starting from the 2028–2029 season, with the competition shifting from a four-tier format to three leagues of 18 teams each. Under the new system, teams would play five different opponents during the league phase.

For the 2030 World Cup, co-hosts Spain and Portugal are expected to qualify automatically, although they would still participate in qualifying-related fixtures for Nations League purposes. The tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.