6 ноября 2025, 12:06

An absolutely intriguing UEFA Nations League format combined with World and European Championship Qualifiers

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UEFA Nations League 2026/2028

1st stage

UEFA national teams will be divided into four leagues (A,B,C,D).

The draw will place teams in each league into 4 pots based on their overall UEFA Nations League rankings

2024–2025 (1-4.5-8.9-12.13-16 in leagues A,B,C and 1-2.3-4.5-6.7 in league D).

Leagues A, B and C will have 16 teams, divided into 4 groups of 4 teams each.

League D will have 7 teams, divided into 2 groups, 3-4 teams in each.

Each team will play 6 matches in its group (with the exception of teams from one group from League D, which

will play 4 matches) in a “home and away” format, in a two-round system, from September to November 2026.

Regulations for the distribution of places in groups of the 1st stage of the UEFA Nations League

1.Points in all matches;

2. Points in personal matches;

3.Goal difference in personal matches;

4.Goal difference in all matches;

5.Overall ranking of the UEFA Nations League 2024–2025

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I propose to stop taking into account the number of goals scored.

Criteria for the intermediate ranking of all leagues (A,B,C,D)

1-4,5-8,9-12 and 13-16 places in leagues A,B,C are determined by the following indicators:

1. Places in groups;

2.Points in all 6 matches;

3.Goal difference in all 6 matches;

4.Overall ranking of the UEFA Nations League 2024–2025

In League D, places 1-6 are determined as follows:

1. Places in groups;

2.Points in 4 matches (between 1-3 teams in groups);

3.Goal difference in 4 matches;

4.Overall ranking of the UEFA Nations League 2024–2025

7th place is taken by the team that was 4th in one of the groups.The 5 worst teams in leagues A, B, C (12-16 places) are demoted.

The 5 best teams in leagues B, C (1-5 places) and the 3 best teams in league D (1-3 places) are promoted.

Thus, after the completion of the Nations League group stage, the interim overall ranking of the 2026/2028 UEFA Nations League is determined as follows:

The 11 A-League teams are ranked from 1st to 11th, according to their A-League ranking (1-11 in A-League).

1.) 1A

2.) 2A

3.) 3A

4.) 4A

5.) 5A

6.) 6A

7.) 7A

8.) 8A

9.) 9A

10.) 10A

11.) 11A

The 5 teams of League B are ranked from 12th to 16th, according to their ranking in League B (1-5 in League B).

12.) 1B

13.) 2B

14.) 3B

15.) 4B

16.) 5B

The 5 teams in League A are ranked from 17th to 21st, according to their ranking in League A (12-16 in League A).

17.) 12A

18.) 13A

19.) 14A

20.) 15 A

21.) 16A

The 6 teams in League B are ranked from 22nd to 27th according to their ranking in League B (6-11 in League B).

22.) 6B

23.) 7B

24.) 8B

25.) 9B

26.) 10B

27) 11B

The 5 teams in League C are ranked from 28th to 32nd according to their ranking in League C (1-5 in League C).

28.) 1C

29.)2C

30.) 3C

31.) 4C

32.) 5C

The 5 teams in League B are ranked from 33rd to 37th according to their ranking in League B (12-16 in League B).

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33.) 12B

34.) 13B

35.) 14 B

36.) 15B

37.) 16B

The 6 C League teams are ranked 38th to 43rd according to their C League rankings (6-11 in C League).

38.) 6C

39.) 7C

40.) 8C

41.) 9C

42.) 10C

43.) 11C

The 3 D League teams are ranked from 44th to 46th, according to their ranking in the D League (1-3 in the D League).

44.) 1D

45.) 2D

46.) 3D

The 5 teams in League C are ranked from 47th to 51st, according to their ranking in League B (12-16 in League C).

47.) 12C

48.) 13C

49.) 14C

50.) 15C

51.) 16C

The 4 D League teams are ranked from 52nd to 55th, according to their league ranking (4-7 in D League).

52.) 4D

53.) 5D

54.) 6D

55.) 7D

The final stage of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028 will begin after the Euro 2028 Qualification, in September 2028.

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Euro 2028 qualification

Based on the results of the interim overall ranking of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028 (1-55 places after the 1st stage in November 2026), 5 groups (11 in each) will be determined.

Team positions in groups (1-11)

====1===2===3===4===5===6===7===8===9===10===11

Group A

===1===10==11==20==21==30==31==40==41==50==55

Group B

===2===9===12==19==22==29==32==39==42==49==54

Group C

===3===8===13==18==23==28==33==38==43==48==53

Group D

===4===7===14==17==24==27==34==37==44==47==52

Group E

===5===6===15==16==25==26==35==36==45==46==51

In 5 groups, separate tournaments are held in only one round (each team will play 10 matches, 1

each of the opponents, 5 - home and away).

The digital calendar of games (calendar scheme) is compiled in advance, according to the principles of priority

(for example, in pairs of opponents closest in number, the home team is listed first:

1-2.2-3.3-4.4-5.5-6.6-7.7-8.8-9.9-10.10-11.11-1.

Game calendar for 11 teams

Round 1.--------2-11--------3-10--------4-9-------5-8--------6-7--------1-does not play.

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Round 2.--------1-2---------11-3-------10-4------9-5--------8-6--------7-does not play.

Round 3.--------3-1---------4-11-------5-10------6-9--------7-8--------2-does not play.

Round 4.--------1-4----------2-3------- 11-5------10-6------9-7--------8-does not play.

Round 5.--------5-1----------4-2--------6-11------7-10------8-9--------3-does not play.

Round 6.--------1-6-----------2-5--------3-4------11-7------10-8-------9-does not play.

Round 7.--------7-1-----------6-2---------5-3-------8-11------9-10------4-does not play.

Round 8.--------1-8----------2-7---------3-6-------4-5-------17-9-------10-does not play.

9th round--------9-1-----------8-2--------7-3-------6-4-------10-11------5-does not play.

Round 10.------1-10---------2-9--------3-8--------4-7--------5-6--------11-does not play.

Round 11------11-1--------10-2--------9-3--------8-4--------7-5---------6-does not play.

Before the start of these tournaments, a draw for the starting round takes place in 5 groups.

For example, out of 11 balls, number 6 comes out.

This means that the 1st round will be this round.

Round 1.--------1-6-----------2-5--------3-4------11-7------10-8-------9-does not play

The next in numerical order will be 7,8,9,10,11 and 1,2,3,4,5 rounds.

Round 2.--------7-1----------6-2---------5-3-------8-11------9-10------4-does not play.

Round 3.--------1-8----------2-7---------3-6-------4-5-------17-9-------10-does not play.

Round 4.--------9-1----------8-2---------7-3-------6-4-------10-11------5-does not play.

Round 5.------1-10------- --2-9---------3-8--------4-7--------5-6--------11-does not play.

Round 6.------11-1-------- 10-2--------9-3--------8-4--------7-5--------6-does not play

Round 7.--------2-11--------3-10--------4-9-------5-8--------6-7--------1-does not play.

Round 8.--------1-2---------11-3-------10-4------9-5--------8-6--------7-does not play.

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Round 9.--------3-1---------4-11-------5-10------6-9--------7-8--------2-does not play.

Round 10.---- -1-4-----------2-3------- 11-5------10-6------9-7--------8-does not play.

Round 11------5-1----------4-2--------6-11------7-10------8-9--------3-does not play.

Regulations for the distribution of places in the five groups of Euro 2028 Qualification

1.Points in all matches;

2. Points in personal matches;

3.Goal difference in personal matches;

4.Goal difference in all matches;

5.Interim overall ranking of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.20 teams that take 1-4 places in the groups advance to the final tournament of Euro 2028. The remaining 4 places at Euro 2028 will be determined by 4 teams in the playoff matches

Regulations for the distribution of places in the Euro 2028 Qualification for teams qualifying for the playoffs and for the 4 hosts of this final tournament (not in the top 20)

1. Places in groups (draw for 21-25,26-30,31-35,36-40,41-45,46-50 and 51-55 places);

2.Points in all matches;

3.Goal difference in all matches;

5. Interim overall ranking of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

Euro 2028 Qualifying Playoffs

European Championship Qualification Playoff Rule

In the playoffs of the Qualifications of all future European Championships, only four teams (no more and no less) must play.

As you know, the 2028 European Football Championship will be jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

All 4 Euro 2028 host teams will take part in the qualifying tournament, with only 2 automatic places

reserved for teams that fail to qualify through the group stage.

If the other two host teams fail to qualify, they will not receive a place at Euro 2028.

Due to these regulations, several options for the playoffs of Euro 2028 Qualification are possible:

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1st option.) If at least 2 Euro 2028 host teams take 1-4 places in groups:

Then we will designate 5 teams with 5 places in groups as 21-25 (according to the best indicators).

The team with 21st place advances to Euro 2028.

The remaining 4 teams with 5 places in the groups in 2 one-game rounds will determine 3 more teams to participate in Euro 2028.

1st round:

1st pair==== 22-25=====(there are 22 teams on the field);

2nd pair==== 23-24=====(32 teams on the field).

The 2 winners of these playoffs qualify for Euro 2028.

2nd round:

The 2 losing teams in the 1st round will play on the field of the best team based on the results of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

1 winner of these playoffs advances to Euro 2028.

2nd option.)If only one of the Euro 2028 host teams takes 1-4 places in the groups, and at least one more takes 5th place:

The remaining 4 teams with 5 places in the groups in 2 one-game rounds will determine 3 more teams to participate in Euro 2028.

1st round:

1st pair====1-4 (from among these 4 remaining teams with 5 places in groups)

2nd pair ==== 2-3.

1st round matches are played on the fields of the 1st and 2nd teams.

The 2 winners of these playoffs qualify for Euro 2028.

2nd round:

The 2 losing teams in the 1st round will play on the field of the best team based on the results of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

1 winner of these playoffs advances to Euro 2028.

3rd option.) If only one of the Euro 2028 host teams takes 1-4 places in groups, and the other three are below 5:

The team with 21st place advances to Euro 2028.

The remaining 4 teams with 5 places in the groups, divided into 2 pairs, will determine 2 more teams to participate in Euro 2028 in 2 matches.

1st pair====22-25=====(1st match on field 25 teams);

2nd pair==== 23-24=====(1st match on the field of 24 teams).

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If at the end of regular time of the return match the score on the sum of two matches is draw, a

extra time (two halves of 15 minutes, the away goals rule is not used). If after this

There is no winner, post-match penalties are held.

The 2 winners of these playoffs qualify for Euro 2028.

4th option.) If out of the 4 host teams of Euro 2028, none of them take 1-4 places in the groups, and at least two will be 5th:

Then the 3 remaining teams with 5 places in the groups and the best one from among those who took 6th will play in the playoffs.These 4 teams, divided into 2 pairs, will determine 2 more teams to participate in Euro 2028 in 2 matches.

1st pair==== 1-4, from among the 4 playoff participants=====(1st match on the field of the 4th team);

2nd pair====2-3=====(1st match on the field of the 3rd team).

5th option.) If out of the 4 host teams of Euro 2028, none of them take 1-4 places in groups, and one of them will be 5th:

The remaining 4 teams with 5 places in the groups in 2 one-game rounds will determine 3 more teams to participate in Euro 2028.

1st round:

1st pair==== 22-25=====(there are 22 teams on the field);

2nd pair==== 23-24=====(32 teams on the field).

The 2 winners of these playoffs qualify for Euro 2028.

2nd round:

The 2 losing teams in the 1st round will play on the field of the best team based on the results of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

1 winner of these playoffs advances to Euro 2028.

6th option.) If out of the 4 host teams of Euro 2028 all take lower than 5th places in groups (6-11):

The team with 25th place does not participate in the playoffs.

The remaining 4 teams with 5 places in the groups in 2 one-game rounds will determine 3 more teams to participate in Euro 2028.

1st round:

1st pair====21-24=====(24 teams on the field);

2nd pair==== 22-23=====(23 teams on the field).

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The 2 winners of these playoffs qualify for Euro 2028.

2nd round:

The 2 losing teams in the 1st round will play on the field of the best team based on the results of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

1 winner of these playoffs advances to Euro 2028.

It should be noted that the 6 options for possible playoffs that we have analyzed are 100% suitable for Euro 2032 in Italy and Turkey.

Euro 2028 Qualification Games Calendar

March 2027 =======================1-2 rounds of Euro 2028 Qualification

June 2027=========================3-5 rounds of Euro 2028 Qualification

September and October 2027========6-9 rounds of Euro 2028 Qualification

November 2027====================10-11 rounds of Euro 2028 Qualification

March 2028========================Playoffs Euro 2028 Qualifiers

******

UEFA Nations League final stage 2026/2028

In 10 groups of 6 levels there will be tournaments with only 1 round.

In groups of 5 teams, each team will play 4 matches (2 home and away).

In groups with the participation of 6 teams, each of them will play 5 matches (1-3 teams of groups will play 3 games at home and 2 away, and 4-6 teams - on the contrary, 2 at home and 3 away).

The digital game calendar (calendar scheme) is compiled in advance, according to the principles of priority (for example, in pairs

the closest opponents by numbers, the home team is listed first: 1-2,2-3,3-4,4-5.

Game calendar for 6 teams in groups:

1st round---------5-1--------4-2-----------3-6

Round 2.--------1-6---------2-5----------3-4

Round 3.--------1-2----------5-3----------6-4

Round 4.--------3-1---------4-5----------2-6

Round 5.--------1-4----------2-3----------6-5

Before the start of these tournaments, the starting round is drawn.

For example, out of 5 balls, number 3 comes out.

This means that the 1st round will be this round.

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1st round.--------1-2---------5-3----------6-4

The next in numerical order will be rounds 4,5,1 and 2.

Round 2.--------3-1---------4-5-----------2-6

Round 3.--------1-4---------2-3----------6-5

Round 4.---------5-1---------4-2----------3-6

5th round--------1-6----------2-5-----------3-4

Game calendar for 5 teams in groups:

Round 1.---------5-1---------4-2-----------3-does not play

Round 2.---------2-5---------3-4----------1-does not play

Round 3.--------1-2----------5-3----------4-does not play

Round 4.--------3-1---------4-5---------- 2-does not play

Round 5.--------1-4----------2-3----------5-does not play

Before the start of these tournaments, the starting round is drawn.

Based on the results of this stage, the Champion and 2 more winners of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028 will be known.

All teams will determine their future in the reformed UEFA Nations League.

1-11 places - League A;

12-22 places - League B;

23-33 places - League C;

34-44 places - League D;

45-55 places - League E.

The final stage will help determine all groups of the 2030 World Cup Qualification (instead of drawing lots to determine the group of teams, which will no longer happen).

1st level tournament (for 1-6 final places of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028)

Group 1/1

=====1=====2=====3=====4=====5=====6

=====1A===2A====3A====4A====5A====6A

Level 2 tournament (for 7-16 places)

Group 2/1

=====7=====10=====11=====14=====16

====7A====10A====11A=====3B=====5B

Group 2/2

=====8=====9=====12=====13=====15

====8A====9A====1B=====2B=====4B

Level 3 tournament (for 17-28 places)

Group 3/1

====17====20====21====24====25====28

====12A===15A==16A===8B====9B====1C

Group 3/2

====18====19====22====23====26====27

===13A===14A===6B====7B====10B====11B

Level 4 tournament (for 29-38 places)

Group 4/1

====29====32====33====36====38

====2C===5C====12B===15B====6C

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Group 4/2

====30====31====34====35====37

====3C====4C====13B==14B====16B

Level 5 tournament (for 39-50 places)

Group 5/1

====39====42====43====46====47====50

===7C===10C====11C====3D===12C====15C

Group 5/2

====40====41====44====45====48====49

====8C===9C=====1D===2D====13C====14C

Level 6 tournament (for 51-55 places)

Group 6/1

====51====52====53====54====55

===16C===4D====5D====6D====7D

Regulations for the distribution of places in the groups of the final stage of the UEFA Nations League

1.Points in all matches (4 or 5);

2. Points in personal matches;

3.Goal difference in personal matches;

4.Goal difference in all matches;

5. Interim overall ranking of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

The 2026/2028 UEFA Nations League final matches take place from September to November 2028.

Calendar of games for the final stage of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028

September and October 2028==========1-3 rounds of the final stage of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028

November 2028 =======4-5 rounds of the final stage of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028

******

Unified Qualification for the 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032

Based on the results of the final stage of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028 (1-55 places after the 1st stage in November 2026), 5 groups (11 in each) will be determined.

Team positions in groups (1-11)

====1===2===3===4===5===6===7===8===9===10===11

Group A

===1===10==11==20==21==30==31==40==41==50==55

Group B

===2===9===12==19==22==29==32==39==42==49==54

Group C

===3===8===13==18==23==28==33==38==43==48==53

Group D

===4===7===14==17==24==27==34==37==44==47==52

Group E

===5===6===15==16==25==26==35==36==45==46==51

In 5 groups, separate tournaments are held in only one round (each team will play 10 matches, 1

each of the opponents, 5 - home and away).

The digital calendar of games (calendar scheme) is compiled in advance, according to the principles of priority

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(for example, in pairs of opponents closest in number, the home team is listed first:

1-2.2-3.3-4.4-5.5-6.6-7.7-8.8-9.9-10.10-11.11-1.

Game calendar for 11 teams

Round 1.--------2-11--------3-10--------4-9-------5-8--------6-7--------1-does not play.

Round 2.--------1-2---------11-3-------10-4------9-5--------8-6--------7-does not play.

Round 3.--------3-1---------4-11-------5-10------6-9--------7-8--------2-does not play.

Round 4.--------1-4----------2-3------- 11-5------10-6------9-7--------8-does not play.

Round 5.--------5-1----------4-2--------6-11------7-10------8-9--------3-does not play.

Round 6.--------1-6-----------2-5--------3-4------11-7------10-8-------9-does not play.

Round 7.--------7-1-----------6-2---------5-3-------8-11------9-10------4-does not play.

Round 8.--------1-8----------2-7---------3-6-------4-5-------11-9-------10-does not play.

Round 9.--------9-1----------8-2---------7-3-------6-4-------10-11------5-does not play.

Round 10.------1-10---------2-9--------3-8--------4-7--------5-6--------11-does not play.

Round 11------11-1--------10-2--------9-3--------8-4--------7-5---------6-does not play.

Before the start of these tournaments, a draw for the starting round takes place in 5 groups.

Regulations for the distribution of places in groups of the unified Qualification of the World Championship 2030 and Euro 2032

1.Points in all matches;

2. Points in personal matches;

3.Goal difference in personal matches;

4.Goal difference in all matches;

5. Final places in the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028 (from 1st to 55th).

15 teams that take 1-3 places in the groups advance to the final tournament of the 2030 World Cup.

One place at the World Cup can be determined through the playoffs.Regulations for the distribution of places in the 2030 World Cup Qualification for teams qualifying for the playoffs and for the 2 hosts of this final tournament (not included in the top 15)

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1. Places in groups (draw for 16-20,21-25,26-30,31-35,36-40,41-45,46-50 and 51-55 places);

2.Points in all matches;

3.Goal difference in all matches;

5. Final places in the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

2030 World Cup Qualification Playoffs

World Cup Qualification Playoff Rule

Only four teams (no more and no more) must play in the qualifying playoffs of all future World Championships.

less), unless a situation is created where the playoffs will not take place (in the case of the need for regulations - necessary

participation in the final tournament of its hosts).

As you know, the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by two European countries - Spain and Portugal.

These 2 teams will also take part in the qualifying tournament for the 2030 World Cup, although they received 2 automatic places for it

In connection with these regulations, several options for the playoffs of the 2030 World Cup Qualification are possible:

1st option.) If Spain and Portugal take 1-3 places in groups:

The 20th team (the worst in terms of performance among those who took 4th place in the groups) will not play in the playoffs.

The remaining 4 teams with 4 places in the groups in 2 one-game rounds will determine one more team to participate in the 2030 World Cup.

1st round:

1st pair==== 16-19=====(on the field of the 16th team);

2nd pair==== 17-18=====(on the field of the 17th team).

The 2 winners of these playoffs advance to the 2nd round

2nd round:

The 2 winners of the 1st round will play on the field of the team that became the best in the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

The winner of the 2nd round advances to the 2030 World Cup.

This option is 100% suitable for the Qualification of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

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Three teams from each group advance to the 2034 World Cup.

16-19 teams will compete for another place in 2 rounds.

2nd option.) If only one team (Spain or Portugal) takes 1-3 places in the groups:

There are no playoffs.

3rd option.) If Spain and Portugal take lower than 3rd places in the groups:

Then 5 teams with 3 places in groups will have to compete for 4 places at the 2030 World Cup.

11th place without playoffs advances to the 2030 World Cup.

The remaining 4 teams with 3rd places in the groups in 2 one-game rounds will determine three more teams to participate in the 2030 World Cup.

1st round:

1st pair==== 12-15=====(on the field of the 12th team);

2nd pair==== 13-14=====(on the field of the 13th team).

The 2 winners of these playoffs advance to the 2030 World Cup.

2nd round:

The two teams that lost in the 1st round will play on the field of the team that became the best in the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

1 winner of this playoffs advances to the 2030 World Cup.

Euro 2032 Championship Qualification Playoffs

Regulations for the distribution of places in the Euro 2032 Qualification for teams qualifying for the playoffs and for the 2 hosts of this final tournament (not included in the top 20)

1. Places in groups (draw for 16-20,21-25,26-30,31-35,36-40,41-45,46-50 and 51-55 places);

2.Points in all matches;

3.Goal difference in all matches;

5. Final places in the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028.

Euro 2032 Qualification Playoffs

Absolutely all situations (options) are analyzed in the Euro 2028 Qualification.

Calendar of games Qualifying for the World Cup 2030 and Euro 2032

March 2029 ==============1-2 rounds of the unified Qualification of the World Championship 2030 and Euro 2032;

June 2029================3-5 rounds of Qualification of the World Championship 2030 and Euro 2032;

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September and October 2029==6-9 rounds of Qualification for the 2030 World Championship and Euro 2032;

November 2029==========10-11 rounds of Qualification for the World Championship 2030 and Euro 2032;

March 2030==============Play-offs for the 2030 World Championship and Euro 2032 Qualifiers.

******

UEFA Nations League 2030/2031

Following the results of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2028, this tournament was reformed as follows:

League A=====11 teams====1-11 places in the Nations League 2026/2028;

League B=====11 teams====12-22 places;

League C=====11 teams=====23-33 places;

League D=====11 teams====34-44 places;

League E=====11 teams====45-55 places in the Nations League 2026/2028.

In 5 leagues (A, B, C, D and E) there are separate tournaments in only one round (each team will play 10 matches, 1