UEFA backs tiered qualifiers and wider safe standing from 2028 and 2026–27

UEFA has approved a new concept for men’s national team competitions from 2028, redesigning the UEFA Nations League (UNL) and European Qualifiers to reduce low-stakes fixtures and increase the value of international windows.The reforms were signed off by the UEFA Executive Committee in Istanbul and will apply after UEFA EURO 2028, with detailed rules due for final approval at the next Executive Committee meeting on September 15 in Thessaloniki.UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: “The new formats will improve competitive balance, reduce the number of dead matches, offer a more appealing and dynamic competition to fans, while ensuring a fair qualification chance for all teams and without adding any additional dates in the international calendar.”He added: “Altogether, the changes will grow the value of UEFA men’s national team football and we are very much looking forward to the implementation of the new competition systems.”UNL will move from four leagues to three leagues of 18 teams from the 2028–29 edition, with each league split into three groups of six teams playing six matches against five different opponents.League C will include one group of seven teams to accommodate all 55 nations, with that group’s calendar starting one international window earlier, while quarter-finals, a Final Four and promotion and relegation play-offs remain in place.European Qualifiers will also be tiered into two leagues linked to UNL, with League 1 made up of the 36 teams in UNL Leagues A and B and League 2 comprising the remaining 18 or 19 teams.League 1 will be organised into three groups of 12 teams drawn from three pots, with each nation playing six home-or-away matches against six different opponents, two per pot, mirroring the scheduling logic used in UEFA club competitions.League 2 will follow the UNL League C model with three groups of six teams, or one of seven, and UEFA said play-offs will be structured to keep qualification chances open for League 2 nations.Host nations will still qualify automatically but will also take part in qualifying, with an objective linked to their position in the next edition of UNL.Alongside the format changes, UEFA approved an extension of the Standing Facilities Observer Programme into 2026–27, widening the use of standing sections in UEFA competitions beyond men’s club football.Nations already in the observer programme can use standing facilities in all UEFA competitions, including qualifying rounds, while other nations that have used standing in their domestic top division for at least three years can apply from September 1, 2026.Football Supporters Europe (FSE) welcomed the decision, arguing the programme has created a clearer path for more countries to introduce standing areas in European matches.Ronan Evain, FSE’s executive director, said: “Standing at matches has an enormously positive effect on atmosphere at European matches. It is a huge part of supporter culture and tradition across the continent.“We are grateful for UEFA’s evidence-based approach and consultation with the key parties concerned, including supporters.”UEFA said the competition reforms will be refined over the next few months before a full analysis is presented after the September meeting, setting up a key commercial and operational milestone for broadcasters, federations and national associations planning towards the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle.