AFC Eyes 2030 Nations League With World Cup and Asian Cup Qualification
The Asian Football Confederation is considering a biennial AFC Nations League from 2030, with a proposed three-division format for all 47 member associations and qualification for the Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup built into the competition.
Why the proposed league matters
| Item | Draft proposal |
|---|---|
| Potential launch | 2030 |
| Member associations | 47 |
| Division sizes | 18 teams in tier one, 18 in tier two, 11 in tier three |
| Pilot competition | 2028-29 |
| First World Cup-linked cycle | 2032-33 |
The plan would replace the need for a separate tournament by using FIFA international windows for level-based fixtures. A standalone event was considered but set aside because of the likely costs and pressure on the international calendar.
For editions linked to the AFC Asian Cup, beginning in 2030, every side in the top division would qualify automatically for the continental finals. The six highest-placed teams in tier two would also book Asian Cup places.
The leading eight teams in tier one would then move into a knockout phase to determine the overall Nations League winner.
World Cup-linked editions would start in 2032-33. Each top-tier team would be scheduled to play 12 matches, split equally between home and away fixtures. The first six finishers would qualify directly for the World Cup, while the teams placed seventh to 10th would enter a round-robin playoff for the remaining qualification places.
The draft also includes promotion and relegation between divisions, with the top two and bottom two teams in every tier changing level automatically.
Initial division positions would not be decided by FIFA rankings. Instead, the AFC intends to use results from preliminary joint qualifying matches to place teams for a proposed 2028-29 pilot edition, which would establish the structure before the full competition begins.
In a statement issued on 21 December 2025, AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said the project was designed to provide regular high-standard international matches during FIFA windows. He added that commercial interest in a Nations League model was increasing.
What remains to be decided
The competition remains a draft proposal. The AFC is due to submit the detailed plan to its relevant committees and member associations before the final format, qualification framework and operational arrangements are confirmed.
