UEFA could be about to give the European Championship qualifiers a major revamp after admitting fans are losing interest.
President Aleksander Ceferin has reportedly accepted that the qualifying process has become stale and revealed plans are being drawn up to make it “more interesting and entertaining.”
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
“There won’t be any more matches, but a more interesting format. We’re thinking about this right now,” Ceferin said.
While the tournament itself will remain untouched, UEFA is carrying out an internal review to find ways to capture fans’ attention during the qualification campaigns.
One option could see future qualifiers mirror the structures of other UEFA competitions such as the Nations League or the Champions League.
The Nations League currently uses a promotion-and-relegation system, while the revamped Champions League format features six single fixtures rather than the traditional home-and-away group stages.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
UEFA declined to comment on the specifics of the review when approached by Daily Mail Sport.
The shake-up talks come as supporters grow increasingly frustrated with frequent international breaks three within the first three months of the season.
This ongoing October window is set to be the last of its kind. From 2026, FIFA will merge the September and October breaks into one extended three-week international period, where teams will play four matches instead of two.
The change should add an extra week of domestic action and, according to football chiefs, create a smoother experience for fans by reducing constant interruptions to the club season.