The Football Association is championing a significant shake-up of the European qualifying system for major tournaments, arguing the current process has become stale and fails to capture the imagination of fans and broadcasters.
A System in Need of Change
With the expansion of competitions like the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, the element of jeopardy for larger footballing nations has diminished. This was highlighted by England's straightforward qualification for the upcoming World Cup, which they secured with two matches to spare from an uninspiring group featuring Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham is a vocal proponent for change. "I think it's really important to overhaul it," he stated. "We need to keep looking at ways to make international football even better and there's genuine appetite to do that. UEFA are clearly leading that, but I'm one of a group of countries that's helping them to look at options."
Exploring New Formats for the Future
Bullingham sits on a UEFA working group examining alternatives. One prominent idea is adopting a Champions League-style 'Swiss system'. This model would see teams face a wider range of opponents once, rather than playing a handful of sides twice, culminating in one large league table. This would guarantee that Europe's top teams encounter more similarly ranked opposition.
Another possibility is giving the Nations League a greater role in determining qualification, as it has proven popular with supporters and television companies. FA chair Debbie Hewitt supported this forward-looking approach, noting that football and the world change, so qualification models must adapt to avoid becoming "bent out of shape."
Euro 2028 Ticket Assurance
While the qualifying format for the 2026 World Cup will remain unchanged, discussions are ongoing for future tournaments. However, Hewitt confirmed the existing group format will be retained for Euro 2028, which will be hosted across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
In positive news for fans, Bullingham confirmed that dynamic pricing will not be used for Euro 2028 tickets, a controversial practice adopted by FIFA. He assured that approximately half of all tickets will be in the more accessible category three and 'fan first' price brackets, making the tournament more affordable.
UEFA president Aleksandr Ceferin has previously confirmed these discussions, promising a more interesting format without increasing the number of matches. The drive for reform signals a pivotal moment for the future of international football in Europe.
