The UEFA Executive Committee has approved substantial changes to the format of European men's national team competitions during a meeting in Istanbul, with the new structure set to begin after the conclusion of Euro 2028.

The governing body for European football announced what it described as a major restructuring of its competition format, though specific details of the changes were not immediately disclosed in the initial announcement.

The timing of the implementation means the current format will remain in place through Euro 2028, allowing for a transition period before the new system takes effect. This represents one of the most significant organizational changes to UEFA's competition structure in recent years.

The decision comes as UEFA continues to evaluate and modernize its tournament formats across various levels of competition. The changes are expected to affect how national teams qualify for and participate in major European championships moving forward.