AFC Nations League to launch in 2030 with new World Cup qualification path

The AFC will launch a Nations League in 2030, a three-tier competition that will simplify qualification for the World Cup and Asian Cup.

The Asian Football Confederation has announced a new Nations League tournament to begin in 2030, which will be held every two years and use a three-division structure with combined qualifying routes. This overhaul is intended to streamline entry for the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup, while also securing more competitive games in the international match calendar.

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John supported the plan. "By introducing a structured competition platform during FIFA windows, we aim to ensure consistent access to high-quality matches," John stated. He also mentioned "strong interest and growing demand from commercial partners for a Nations League-style competition." The complete plan will be shown to necessary committees and member associations for a final decision.

World Cup and Asian Cup qualification links confirmed

The plan connects Nations League results directly to qualifying for major events. For cycles linked to the World Cup, the best six teams in the top division will get direct entry. Teams placed seventh to tenth will go into a playoff round for the last two direct spots, with the team finishing third in that playoff moving to an intercontinental playoff. Regarding the Asian Cup, which will move to a new date under the updated schedule, all top-division teams and the six best-performing sides from the second division will qualify directly.

The tournament will organize AFC members into three levels, with a set number of teams in the first two levels and a smaller number in the third, all arranged into groups. The two best and two worst teams in each level at the end of every tournament will move up or down automatically. Additional movement will be decided by playoffs involving the next set of teams near the top and bottom of each level.

Pilot tournament set for 2028-29 to finalise tiers

A trial version will be held to set the starting level placements before the full start. This phase will use outcomes from early joint qualifying rounds to decide the divisions. It will trial the systems for moving between levels. During this trial, the existing World Cup qualifying structure will be kept, with the leading teams from that stage moving into the Nations League.

The next set of best teams from that phase will enter a playoff similar to the planned final system. The top two teams from that playoff will qualify for the World Cup, while the next best will enter an intercontinental playoff. This trial is meant to allow a steady change to the new, combined system. The first Nations League cycle connected to World Cup qualifying is planned for a future period.

The new format marks a major change from the earlier system. The AFC has said the new plan will not separate teams by region because of an uneven spread of countries and differences in competitive level. Teams will be sorted for the draw to produce fair, computer-generated schedules. An independent tournament not connected to major qualifying was said to have been turned down because of high running expenses and a crowded calendar.