Proposed competition formats

1. Format for 53-56 teams (or if you want to go lower...)
Total matches played: 104/107/110/113

1st round
14 groups, 11-14 of them with 4 teams each, rest with 3
14 winners, 14 runners-up advance to 2nd round
Venues: Each team in group of 4 plays 1 home 1 away 1 neutral OR top 2 seeds in each group each play 2 home 1 away, rest play 1 home 2 away each
Each group of 3 plays 1 home 1 away
Total matches played: 75/78/81/84

2nd, 3rd round (28 teams, 14 teams)
7 brackets of 2 winners 2 runners-up each; same group protection applies
2 knockout rounds in each bracket
Each winner plays against a runner-up in 2nd round; winner advances to 3rd round
Winner of each bracket advances to QFs
Highest ranked runner-up of each bracket (3rd round loser) advances to QFs
Venues: Each winner hosts 2nd round; 3rd round host decided randomly
Total matches played: 21

Quarter-finals onwards (8 teams)
Knockout rounds; same group protection applies
Venues: Randomly decided
Total matches played: 8



2. Format for 57-60 teams (or if you want to go lower...)
Total matches played: 119/122/125/128

1st round
15 groups, 12-15 of them with 4 teams each, rest with 3
15 winners, 15 runners-up advance to 2nd round
Venues: Each team in group of 4 plays 1 home 1 away 1 neutral OR top 2 seeds in each group each play 2 home 1 away, rest play 1 home 2 away each
Each group of 3 plays 1 home 1 away
Total matches played: 81/84/87/90

2nd round (30 teams)
Knockout round
Each winner plays against a runner-up
Venues: Each winner hosts
Total matches played: 15

3rd round (15 teams)
5 groups of 3 each; same group protection applies
Group winners advance to QFs
Top 3 runners-up advance to QFs
Venues: 1 home 1 away each
Total matches played: 15

Quarter-finals onwards (8 teams)
Knockout rounds; same group protection applies; 3rd round groups take priority
Venues: Winners host where applicable, otherwise randomly drawn
Total matches played: 8



3. Format for 61-64 teams (or if you want to go lower...)
Total matches played: 119/122/125/128

1st round
16 groups, 13-16 of them with 4 teams each, rest with 3
16 winners, 16 runners-up advance to 2nd round
Venues: Each team in group of 4 plays 1 home 1 away 1 neutral OR top 2 seeds in each group each play 2 home 1 away, rest play 1 home 2 away each
Each group of 3 plays 1 home 1 away
Total matches played: 87/90/93/96

2nd round onwards (32 teams)
Knockout rounds; same group protection applies
16 winners
Each winner plays against a runner-up in 2nd round
Venues: Each winner hosts 2nd round; rest decided randomly
Total matches played: 32



4. Special formats (57/60/63 teams)
Total matches played: 89/92/95

1st round
19/20/21 groups of 3 each
All winners advance to 2nd round
Best 13/12/11 runners-up advance to 2nd round
Venues: 1 home 1 away each
Total matches played: 57/60/63

2nd round onwards (32 teams)
Knockout rounds; same group protection applies
16 winners
Each winner plays against a runner-up in 2nd round
Venues: Each winner hosts 2nd round; rest decided randomly
Total matches played: 32



5. Special format (63 teams)
Total matches played: 92

1st round
21 groups of 3 each
Winners advance to 2nd round
Venues: 1 home 1 away each
Total matches played: 63

2nd round (21 teams)
7 groups of 3 each
Winners advance to QFs
Best runner-up advances to QFs
Venues: 1 home 1 away each
Total matches played: 21

Quarter-finals onwards (8 teams)
Knockout rounds; same group protection applies
Venues: Randomly decided
Total matches played: 8