European countries agreed to launch a Nations League football tournament in 2018 to run parallel to the World Cup and European Championship.
The tournament could take on immediate importance as it will offer four places in the European Championships finals.
The 54 UEFA countries will be divided into divisions with promotion and relegation and offer an extra chance to qualify for the European Championship.
UEFA's Congress in Astana voted unanimously to start the league.
"This is a big step for national teams in Europe and we hope that fans will support the new format," said Wolfgang Niersbach, chairman of the UEFA competition committee.
UEFA president Michel Platini said countries wanted a change from "the friendlies that don't interest anyone."
Though the final details have yet to be agreed, the current plan is for four divisions, which will be sub-divided into four pools of three of four teams.
Each country would play four to six matches in the first tournament between September and November 2018 -- soon after the World Cup finals in Russia.
The four pool winners would play for the title in early 2019. The pool winners will get places in the European Championship finals.
Europe's top clubs, always wary of additions to the soccer calendar, gave cautious approval to the new tournament.
