UEFA reforms format of club competition matches

UEFA is working on a major overhaul of the international football calendar, starting with the 2028-2029 season, Zamin.uz reports.

Under the new proposal, the traditional group stages for national teams will be replaced by a single league format similar to the new Champions League system. European nations will no longer face the same opponents repeatedly in predictable matches; instead, they will play a broader range of teams across different levels to increase competitive intensity.

According to Goal.com, these changes are expected to generate significant interest among football fans. The current structure of the Nations League will also undergo substantial revisions.

Instead of the current four divisions, three main leagues will be formed, each consisting of eighteen teams. These leagues will be divided into three groups of six teams each, with every national team playing a total of six matches against five different opponents.

This system will allow teams to avoid repeatedly playing the same opponents and expand the geographical scope of their fixtures. The reforms will also directly affect the qualification processes for the World Cup and the European Championship.

Under the new structure, teams will be split into two main divisions. The top league will feature the continent’s thirty-six strongest national teams, while the second league will include the remaining eighteen or nineteen teams.

Each team in the top league will play six matches against six different opponents, eliminating repetitive and predictable group-stage encounters. UEFA plans to retain elements that have proven successful, particularly the promotion and relegation system between leagues and the inter-league play-offs.

The top-performing teams in the top league will qualify directly for the final stages of major tournaments. The remaining spots will be determined through high-stakes play-off matches.

This will also provide lower-ranked teams with additional opportunities to compete in meaningful matches. The comprehensive changes are expected to take full effect after the conclusion of the 2028 European Championship.

UEFA will announce final details regarding the match schedule and broadcasting rights in the coming months. Fans and experts are closely monitoring how this new structure will impact both domestic leagues and the broader development of international football.

These reforms are expected to usher in a completely new era of competition in the football world.