UEFA changes the format of the European Nations League

UEFA has approved new changes to the UEFA Nations League format, to be implemented starting with the edition following Euro 2028. This move reshapes the tournament's tiers and the promotion and relegation system. Under the new system, the Nations League will consist of three tiers instead of four, whereas the fourth tier was previously part of the competition's structure. Beginning with the 2026-27 edition, two teams will be relegated from League A to League B, while four teams will be promoted from League B to League A, as part of a redistribution of teams across the different tiers. League A in the 2028-29 edition will consist of 18 teams, divided into three groups of six. Each team will play six group stage matches, three at home and three away, against two other teams from the same group, according to the new competition format. The second and third tiers will each consist of 18 teams in the 2028-2029 edition, with four teams being relegated from each tier and four teams being promoted to the next higher tier. The fourth tier in the current system will be eliminated with the implementation of the new structure, with all its teams being promoted to the third tier. The distribution of teams in the new edition is also contingent on the lifting of certain existing sanctions; Russia will participate in the third tier if its suspension is lifted, thus completing the three tiers under the new tournament structure.