World Cup 2023 qualifiers: UEFA to split major and minor nations

For the 2026 World Cup, some countries played six qualifiers but some played eight. Now everyone will play six.

Each team in the 12-team group will play six home or away matches against six different opponents – two per pot.

This moves qualifying away from the regular format where teams play all opponents in their group home and away.

The top-ranked teams from each group in Ligue 1 will qualify for the World Cup, with the remaining places allocated through play-offs.

UEFA has not confirmed the automatic slot break.

The remaining 18, lower-ranked nations – under the current format, effectively excluding the group winners in League C and the seven nations in League D – will take part in League 2.

UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin said: “The new formats will improve competitive balance, reduce the number of dead matches, offer more attractive and dynamic competitions to fans, while ensuring fair qualification opportunities for all teams and without adding any extra dates to the international calendar.”

UEFA also announced that the Nations League will be restructured from 2028, into three divisions of 18 teams – with three groups of six teams each.

The teams will still play six matches, but against five different opponents.

Six teams will have three pots.

For example, a team in pot one will play another team from pot one home and away, as well as two teams from pot two and three home or away.

Semi-finals, finals, promotion and relegation will continue.