UEFA and Concacaf moot combined Nations League. AFC joining would make it global
August 21 – UEFA and Concacaf are reportedly looking at turning their open opposition to Gianni Infantino into something far more tangible – a new 96-team Nations League that would sit largely outside FIFA’s competitive structure.
According to the Guardian, the two confederations have reportedly begun discussions over combining their existing Nations League competitions from as early as 2028, creating a cross-Atlantic tournament involving every member association in Europe, North and Central America and the Caribbean.
The on-pitch attraction is obvious, as well as getting one up on FIFA. League A could bring regular competitive meetings between the likes of England, Spain, France and Germany and Concacaf’s leading nations, including the United States, Mexico and Canada.
UEFA and Concacaf have become the most prominent institutional opponents of Infantino following the fallout from FIFA’s Forward Enterprise proposal, and are already understood to be discussing a possible alternative candidate ahead of next March’s presidential election.
Creating a major new international competition under their own umbrella would widen their split from FIFA, particularly if it can be staged within international windows.
The working model would use the September, October and November breaks for league matches, followed by knockout rounds in March and a final-four tournament in June. It would replace the two existing Nations Leagues rather than add another layer of fixtures to an already congested calendar.
Both confederations launched their competitions in 2018 and already stage games in the same international windows, meaning much of the basic infrastructure is in place.
Whether FIFA could intervene remains unclear. The dates themselves are already part of the international calendar, although a competition of this scale would inevitably raise questions over the world governing body’s authority.
Commercially, there is plenty to tempt both sides – regular competitive visits from Europe’s biggest national teams would be valuable in the US, Canada and Mexico. Mexico in particular has previously shown frustration at the competitive limitations of competing solely within Concacaf and reportedly explored closer ties with Conmebol, though is unlikely to split from the commercial power house of its US support.
Revenue would likely be pooled to some extent across all 96 participants, potentially providing smaller associations with a considerable financial uplift. Fixtures would also be organised in geographical blocks where possible to limit travel.
The relationship between UEFA and Concacaf predates the latest FIFA confrontation, with the pair signing a memorandum of understanding in Vancouver in April. The FFE row, however, has accelerated that alignment.
There is scope for the project to expand further, with the AFC understood to have expressed interest in a future global Nations League model.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]
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