Details on the League of Asian Nations: starting in 2028
According to Varzesh3.
Context
The Iranian national team, part of the AFC, will have the opportunity to participate in this new format, which could influence their preparation and strategy for future World Cup qualifiers. The League of Asian Nations could also represent an important platform for Iranian football to demonstrate its value at the continental level.
Why it matters
The League of Asian Nations represents an important evolution in Asian football, as it will offer national teams more opportunities to compete at various levels. This tournament could significantly influence teams' paths to World Cup qualifying, creating a more inclusive and competitive system for national teams at all levels.
Key points
- Details on the League of Asian Nations: starting in 2028.
- The Asian confederation has presented the final project for the League of Asian Nations, which will play a role in qualifying for the World Cup and continental cups.
- الشرق الاوسط: جزئیات برگزاری لیگ ملتهای آسیا | ورزش سه.
The Asian confederation has presented the final project for the League of Asian Nations, which will play a role in qualifying for the World Cup and continental cups. Start of work in 2028.
After these dates, in October 2029, playoffs should be held to establish the various categories for the official tournaments which will begin from 2030 onwards.
It is expected that all 47 AFC national teams will participate in the official tournaments, divided into 3 categories:
- 18 teams in category 1
- 18 teams in category 2
- 11 teams in category 3
Every year, or at an established interval, there will be a sort of promotion and relegation between the various categories.
Furthermore, the top 4 teams in category 1 will enter a final tournament which will take place in a single country, chosen by the AFC.
But the most important thing is that the results obtained in the various League of Asian Nations tournaments will also influence the qualification paths for the continental cups and the World Cup.
What happens now
Slated to begin in 2028, AFC teams that fail to qualify for the 2030 World Cup will participate in a pilot tournament. This event will serve to establish the categories for the official tournaments, increasing the importance of regional competitions and their impact on the qualifications for the Continental Cups.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the League of Asian Nations start?
The League of Asian Nations will begin on June 6, 2028.
Which teams will participate in the pilot tournament in 2028?
Only AFC teams playing in the lower levels will participate, i.e. those eliminated in the preliminary stages of the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup.
What is the main objective of the League of Asian Nations?
The main objective is to create an annual or biennial competition that allows all national teams to have more playing opportunities and compete at different levels.
Will there be playoffs after the pilot tournament?
Yes, after the pilot tournament, playoffs will be held in October 2029 to establish the various categories for the official tournaments.
When will the pilot tournament take place?
The pilot tournament will take place from June 6, 2028 to June 12, 2029, with several play dates in between.
