Article 13 Match system and group formation – qualifying competition - Under-19

13.01

The qualifying competition is played in the form of mini-tournaments of three or four teams in one of the countries in the group. For each qualifying match and for administrative purposes, the first team is considered Team A and the second Team B.

13.02

Each team plays each of the other teams in its group once, with three points awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a defeat.

13.03

On completion of each round, final group standings are compiled based on the number of points obtained by each team in the group.

13.04

The associations participating in rounds 1 and 2 are divided into two leagues as follows:

1. League A: seven groups of four teams

2. League B: seven groups of three or four teams

The composition of the groups within each league is decided by a draw.

13.05

For the round 1 draw, the associations are allocated to draw pots as follows based on the 2026/27 Under-19 access list (see Annex B):

1. The 28 associations ranked 1st to 28th enter League A;

2. The remaining associations enter League B.

Additional draw conditions may be applied by the UEFA administration, which establishes the draw procedure and communicates it prior to the draw.

13.06

On completion of round 1, the teams progress as follows:

1. All teams ranked first, second and third in League A remain in League A for round 2.

2. All fourth-placed teams in League A are relegated to League B for round 2.

3. All group winners in League B are promoted to League A for round 2.

4. All teams ranked second, third and fourth in League B remain in League B for round 2.

13.07

The following principles apply to the round 2 draw:

1. The associations are allocated to draw pots based on their results in round 1 (see Paragraph 13.06 and Article 15).

2. No teams that played each other in round 1 will meet again in round 2.

3. Teams that played in three-team groups in round 1 are drawn into four-team groups for round 2.

Additional draw conditions may be applied by the UEFA administration, which establishes the draw procedure and communicates it prior to the draw.

13.08

On completion of round 2, the teams progress as follows:

1. All teams ranked first, second and third in League A remain in League A for round 3.

2. All group winners in League B are promoted to League A for round 3.

3. If there is a vacancy because the team of the final tournament host association is among the qualified teams or for any other reason, the position is filled by the best fourth-placed team in League A.

4. All other teams are eliminated.

13.09

The 28 teams participating in round 3, League A are drawn into seven groups of four teams. The following principles apply to the round 3 draw:

1. The associations are allocated to draw pots based on their results in round 2 (see Paragraph 13.08 and Article 15).

2. No teams that played each other in round 2 will meet again in round 3.

Additional draw conditions may be applied by the UEFA administration, which establishes the draw procedure and communicates it prior to the draw.

13.10

On completion of round 3, the seven group winners qualify for the final tournament.