UEFA Plotting Radical Euros Format Change That Could Transform Competition

The FA has backed plans to overhaul the European qualifying process for major international tournaments after UEFA confirmed discussions were underway regarding "a more interesting format".

It has been an exceptionally straightforward qualifying campaign for Thomas Tuchel and his England side, who booked their spot at the 2026 World Cup last month with a routine win over Latvia.

The 5-0 thrashing meant the Three Lions maintained their record as the only unbeaten side in Group K. In fact, they have yet to concede a goal ahead of their clash against Serbia on Thursday night.

Elsewhere, big hitters Germany, Portugal, Belgium and France are on course for automatic qualification as they top their respective groups, not to mention Spain, Croatia and the Netherlands.

Many will argue that the current route to the World Cup and European Championship has become stale, especially when compared to the model used by the recently revamped UEFA Champions League.

England are unbeaten in Group K ahead of their clash against Serbia. Image credit: Getty

UEFA, meanwhile, are also concerned that the route to these international tournaments has become bland. At last month's Portugal Football Summit, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin admitted that the process could be more exciting.

“Perhaps the qualifiers could be different," he said. “There won’t be any more matches, but a more interesting format. We’re thinking about this right now.”

Now, the FA have agreed that changes must be implemented to reignite interest in European qualifying, with the FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, backing plans to change the model.

Speaking at a launch event in London for Euro 2028, Bullingham said, as per The Guardian: “I think it’s really important to overhaul it."

He added: “I think 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.”

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin pictured alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Image credit: Getty

Debbie Hewitt, the FA chair, suggested the existing group format would be retained for Euro 2028, which will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and Republic of Ireland, but agreed that the model should be overhauled.

“Football changes, the world changes, the number of tournaments changes, the number of teams playing in those tournaments changes,” she said. “So if we stick with the same model of qualification it’s probably going to get bent out of shape. I think we have to keep looking at challenging.”

A report from The Sun suggests UEFA are considering a number of possible format changes, including the models used by the Nations League or the Champions League.

The Nations League, which includes a promotion and relegation system, often pits big teams against each other, while the Champions League, which features six one-off games in a league phase, throws up exciting fixtures on a regular basis.