Nations League and European Qualifiers Set for Major Restructuring
Starting after the 2028 European Championship, UEFA will introduce a revamped structure for both the Nations League and the European qualifiers. Under the new plan, the Nations League will shift from four leagues to three, each featuring 18 teams, beginning with the 2028/29 season. Each league will be split into three groups of six teams. Teams will play six matches against five different opponents in this updated format. League C, however, will contain one group of seven teams. The quarterfinals, the four-team final tournament, and promotion/relegation playoffs will remain unchanged.
Reform of European Qualifiers
The European qualifiers are also being redesigned. In the new setup, League 1 will include 36 teams from Nations Leagues A and B, while League 2 will consist of the remaining 18 or 19 teams from the Nations League. League 1 of the European qualifiers will have three groups of 12 teams, drawn from three seeding pots. Each team in League 1 will play six matches against six different opponents. The top team from each League 1 group will earn a direct spot at the Euros, while the remaining tournament berths will be decided through playoffs that also allow League 2 teams to participate.
In the context of European club competitions, Ukraine achieved its best result in a decade this season, accumulating 8.312 points in the UEFA coefficient table. This marks a significant milestone, especially compared to the 9.800 points earned in the 2015/16 season, with the next best being 8 points in 2017/18.
- FC Shakhtar, after exiting the Conference League, played a key role by contributing 6.0625 points.
- FC Dynamo added 1.75 points.
- FC Polissya contributed 0.5 points.
- FC Oleksandriya finished the season without earning any points.
These results allowed Ukraine to hold steady at 23rd place in the coefficient rankings.
The changes to the Nations League and European qualifiers could have a major impact on football development across Europe, offering teams more chances to compete in international tournaments. The reform may also motivate lower-tier teams, as they will now have the opportunity to fight for Euro spots through the new playoff system.
The strong performances of Ukrainian clubs in European competitions reflect a rising standard of football in the country. This could boost investment in Ukraine's football sector and increase international interest in local teams, ultimately helping to nurture young talent.
As UEFA prepares for significant changes in the Nations League and European qualifiers, it's worth noting the impressive performance of Ukrainian clubs in European competitions this season. With Ukraine achieving its highest points total in a decade, the success of teams like FC Shakhtar and FC Dynamo highlights the growing competitiveness of Ukrainian football. For a deeper insight into this remarkable achievement, you can read more about how Ukraine's clubs excelled in European cups.