It was expected, it is now official: UEFA has withdrawn from the Russian city of Kazan the organization of the European Supercup, a meeting between the winner of the Champions League and the winner of the Europa League. It was scheduled for August 16, 2023. At issue, the sanctions imposed on Russia since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. The European Supercup 2023 will take place in Athens, at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium (photo above). During the same meeting of the Executive Committee of the body, Wednesday, January 25 in Nyon (Switzerland), UEFA has also approved a reform of the qualifications for major tournaments after 2024 – World and Euro – and the Nations League. The European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Euro will now take place in twelve groups of four or five teams, compared to the current five or six. The announced advantages are a reduction in the number of matches and a “less predictable and more dynamic” format. The winners of the groups will qualify directly for the World Cup or the Euro, as well as the best runners-up. UEFA also confirmed that the number of teams qualified for Euro 2028 remains at 24. Regarding the Nations League, it was decided to modify the format with the introduction of quarter-finals in March, keeping thereafter a Final 4 with semi-finals and final in June.
