Asian football could see a major transformation with the introduction of a European-style Nations League by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This move could involve promotion and relegation within the qualification systems for the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup.
According to a report by ESPN on October 4, the AFC has drafted plans for a new Nations League that could significantly change the qualification formats for the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup. The proposed Nations League would be held every two years starting in 2030.
The draft proposal includes dividing AFC member nations into three divisions: Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3, each with a specific number of countries and groups.
The key feature of the proposal is the implementation of automatic promotion and relegation, as well as promotion-relegation playoffs, allowing teams to move between divisions based on their performance in each edition.
After each competition, teams in the top and bottom of each division would be promoted or relegated automatically. Teams finishing in the bottom four of the higher tier would compete against the top four of the lower division in promotion-relegation playoffs, determining further movements between the leagues. This system is reminiscent of the UEFA Nations League, but with higher stakes as teams could find themselves in relegation battles directly linked to World Cup qualification.
The integration of the competition with World Cup qualifying, set to begin in 2032–2033, would see Division 1 teams playing for direct World Cup qualification spots. Teams finishing lower in the standings would compete for the remaining qualification spots and an intercontinental playoff spot. This means that even prominent teams like South Korea could face consequences if relegated to Division 2, as strong performances in the lower tier would not guarantee direct World Cup qualification.
The competition linked to Asian Cup qualification in 2030 would grant spots to Division 1 and top Division 2 teams. Plans are also in place to shift the Asian Cup finals to 2032. The top eight teams in Division 1 would progress to quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final to determine the Nations League champion.
The proposal omits regional divisions based on geography, opting for an integrated format covering the entire continent. Matchups would be determined by seeded pots and an algorithm due to discrepancies in participating nations and competitive strength across regions.
There are plans for a transitional competition before the full system launches, with a pilot tournament in 2028–2029 serving as qualification for the 2030 World Cup. The pilot would establish the initial divisions for the official Nations League based on results from earlier qualifiers.
If implemented, this overhaul would change the traditional World Cup qualification structure in Asia, creating intense promotion and relegation battles with significant consequences in every match.
Sources: Daum