Here are the 'preliminary' details of AFC Nations League:

  1. There will be three leagues just as with UEFA Nations League 2028-29. They will have 18, 18 and 11 teams each (AFC has only 47 members). They will be called League A, League B and League C here for familiarity.
  2. The 'Swiss model' used in Champions League and 2028-29 UEFA Nations League will be employed in AFC Nations League as well.
  3. The tournament will be biennial and will also be used as qualifiers to AFC Asian cup (which will shift to even years from 2032 onwards) and the WC.
  4. Teams will play 3 home and 3 away matches in 2030 NL, and 6 home and 6 away matches in 2032 NL. (There will be fewer matches in League C due to fewer teams.)
  5. Teams that finish first and second will be promoted to upper leagues from B and C, teams that finish in the bottom two will be relegated from A and B.
  6. Teams that finish 3-6 will play promotion playoffs with teams that finish 13-16 in the upper leagues wherever possible.
  7. All 18 teams from League A and 6 top teams from League B in the 2030 edition will qualify for AFC Asian cup 2032.
  8. Top 6 teams from League A in the 2032 edition will qualify directly for 2036 WC. Teams ranked 7-10 from the same league will participate in playoffs for the remaining spots.
  9. A 'pilot' tournament in 2028-29 season will determine placements into leagues in the first season.
  10. Matches will be mostly or entirely played during international breaks.
  11. Top 8 teams from League A will play the knockouts for the trophy. The format will be identical to UEFA Nations League with two-legged playoffs for the QFs followed by single legged SFs and final.
submitted by /u/FunPainting8107
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