This model will make the National League more attractive

“The national team finally scored again, and then it's the important game of the National League!” No one said. Fans reacted viciously to the third international break in two months. I decided to find a solution that worked for everyone involved.

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What's a show that's always on between September and November that few people like, but that people always watch? No, not the bachelor, but the biggest fear of many fans: international competition!

This issue has been plaguing football for some time, with nine years ago we published a report on alternative European Championship qualifications. But there was no National League in 2015. With the first tournament taking place three years later, we now need a solution that is also acceptable to UEFA.

So I sat down at my desk with pen and paper and came up with a solution to reduce the rest time for the national team while satisfying UEFA. This is the result.

current situation

The Nations League is currently divided into four different intensity levels. Leagues A, B, and C are played in teams of four, and League D is played in teams of three. Each team will play everyone twice during the group stage.

The top two groups of the A-League qualify for the quarter-finals of the Nations League. The teams at the bottom of leagues A, B, and C are relegated, and the top teams in leagues B, C, and D advance. Since this season, there has been relegation between the third-placed team in the upper league and the second-placed team in the lower league.

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers will begin in March 2025. Divided into four and five groups, the first place in each group will directly qualify for the World Cup. Twelve second-placed teams will compete against the top four teams in the Nations League that have not yet qualified for the World Cup for the final four tickets to which European teams are entitled.

This means there will be a total of nine national team breaks between Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. World Cup preparation phase not yet included

biggest problem

There are a lot of things that are bothering fans and players at the moment. The most important point:

National League Trophy. There are many more coveted trophies.Image: KEYSTONE

Proposed solution

In order to introduce a new model, it must suit all parties, especially UEFA because it is decided by it. In my proposal, I aim to reduce the disruption to the tournament without removing too many games from the schedule and to make the starting position attractive for as many games as possible.

You also can't simply remove the Nations League from the plans because, for better or worse, it's not going to leave us in the next few years. Therefore, our goal is to increase the sporting relevance of the National League.

In my proposal the Nations League would be expanded but qualification for the European Cup as we know it would no longer exist; it would now be linked to the Nations League.

Only two Nations League leagues left

In the new Nations League, there are only two leagues, not four. The upper league consists of 26 countries, and the lower league consists of 28 countries. Under the new Champions League format, each country will be assigned six different opponents. Each team will continue to play two games. September, November 2026 and March 2027.

In the new mode, the draw button is also available in the Nations League.Image: trapezoid

The top ten teams in the lower league advance, and the ten worst teams in the upper league are relegated. To ensure greater sporting relevance for these competitions, the top ten from the top flight will qualify directly for the European Championships. In the lower leagues, the ten worst teams have been eliminated from the next major tournaments.

* Since there are no longer two European Cup hosts, the number of participating teams is no longer 34 but 32.Image: Watson

This is what the Nations League top flight looks like

A bigger final

The ten teams that have already advanced will continue to participate in the National League. In addition, the hosts of the upcoming European Championships will also take part. If these countries are already in the top ten, the 11th and, if necessary, the 12th place will advance and thus also get a ticket to the European Championships.

The twelve countries were divided into four groups of three, and each group competed once. These group stages will take place in September 2027. The third-placed team in each group is eliminated, with the remaining eight teams advancing to the quarter-finals, which will be held in November 2027.

Therefore, the Final Four will be held in March 2028. These matches will be played as a dress rehearsal for the host country of the upcoming European Championships.

The Nations League final could be held at Wembley in 2028.Image: Shutterstock

This means these teams have between eight and 11 games between the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Euros. That’s five to seven games less than before.

This is how remaining EM tickets are distributed

With half the places allocated so far, there are currently 12 tickets remaining for 32 countries. These are divided into eight groups of four. In this game, each team plays each other once. These competitions will be held in September 2027. The first place in the group will directly qualify for the European Championships, while the eight runners-up will compete for the last four spots through barrage competition. The group stage will be held in September 2027, with relegation two months later.

Under the new model, these countries will have between nine and 11 games between major events, with only five interruptions in the championship, and the national team stage in June will also be cancelled.

This is the arrangement for the World Cup

As Europe currently has 16 World Championship spots, another format is needed ahead of the biggest national championships. The National League's league stages remain unchanged and will also be held in September, November and March.

However, only four to six tickets remain. Exactly how many spots will be available depends on the eventual organizers of the upcoming World Cup. For example, by 2030 there will be two places, Portugal and Spain, which are definitely already occupied. The competition will be halved and only six teams will participate.

The 2030 World Cup will be held in six countries.Image: FIFA

The competition is divided into two groups of three players each, these games are played in September before the World Cup, with the first and second place in the group qualifying for the semi-finals. The competition will be held again in March.

The remaining ten World Cup tickets are divided into eight groups, with four people in each group, in the same way as the European Championships. The first place in the group will directly qualify. The eight runners-up will be divided into two groups and the final tickets will be determined through the semi-finals and finals.

* Since there are no longer two European Cup hosts, the number of participating teams is no longer 34 but 32.Image: Watson

These will be advantages

In my opinion, the new model will have some benefits for fans, players and UEFA. These are the biggest advantages:

this may be a problem

We need you now!

The pattern might be able to be expanded or improved, or maybe you have a better idea than me. Let us know in the comments and maybe UEFA officials will see what we think.