European Championship qualifiers may undergo a significant transformation, with an adapted version of the Nations League emerging as a leading option for change. This revamp is likely to be implemented following Euro 2028.

Plans were presented to Uefa’s national team competitions committee recently and will be deliberated by individual Football Associations in smaller groups over the coming days. A final decision is expected from the Uefa executive committee in Istanbul prior to next month’s Europa League final.

Concerns have arisen regarding the current qualifying formats, which many fans and television rights holders find unappealing. Bigger countries often dominate the process, especially with the increase in finals spots for major tournaments like the European Championships and World Cups. A working group, including FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, has been exploring fresh options, but achieving consensus across Europe may prove challenging.

Among the potential formats is a “Swiss system,” utilized in the Champions League since last season. While this system guarantees that smaller nations face some larger teams, it is less favored by broadcasters and could lead to mismatches.

The preferred Nations League-style model would utilize recent rankings to split teams into leagues and groups, similar to the women’s World Cup qualifying format. This approach would allow for direct qualification for group winners from League A, with an extended playoff system for others. Given that 24 teams will qualify for the European Championship, the new format is expected to yield more direct qualifiers.

While this Nations League-style scheme would generate excitement among leading countries, concerns remain for lower-ranked nations who may feel overlooked. Discussions will also consider maintaining the current system, which many, including England, find stale due to their strong qualifying record since 2009. Although there will be no increase in match numbers, the logistics of these potential changes will likely not be finalized before the start of Euro 2028 qualifying in March.