Uefa and Concacaf have initiated formal discussions regarding the creation of a joint Nations League tournament. This proposed competition would incorporate all 96 member nations from both the European and North, Central American, and Caribbean confederations, marking a significant strategic move against Fifa.
The initiative follows a period of increased cooperation between the two confederations, particularly in their shared efforts to challenge Gianni Infantino’s leadership following the recent controversy surrounding the World Cup sell-off proposal. The confederations are actively collaborating to identify an alternative candidate for the upcoming Fifa presidential election scheduled for next March, viewing Infantino’s position as untenable due to his involvement in the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan.
If finalized, the tournament could launch as early as 2028, following the conclusion of the next European Championship. The competition would mirror the existing multi-league structures currently utilized by both governing bodies, culminating in a knockout phase and a final-four tournament to crown a champion. Draft plans suggest the league phase would occur during established international windows in September, October, and November, with knockout rounds in March and finals in June.
Top-tier European nations such as England, Germany, Spain, and France would face high-ranked Concacaf teams like the United States, Mexico, and Canada in competitive league fixtures. Officials believe this format would generate substantial revenue, which would be pooled to provide significant financial support for smaller member nations. The proposal is designed to replace existing international fixtures rather than add to the current calendar, with games organized in geographic blocks to minimize travel requirements.
The mechanics for such a partnership are already well-established, as both confederations have operated their respective Nations Leagues since 2018 using the same international windows. While it remains unclear if the new tournament requires formal Fifa ratification, the governing body’s current state of existential crisis may render such procedural hurdles moot.
For the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), the tournament offers a lucrative alternative to its current regional constraints. The FMF has previously explored the possibility of joining the South American confederation, Conmebol, but the prospect of regular, high-profile matches against European opposition could alter those plans. Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reportedly expressed interest in the concept, and the structure is being designed with enough flexibility to potentially incorporate them in the future, though no immediate plans exist for an Asian Nations League.
Uefa and Concacaf have been strengthening their alliance for months, formalizing their commitment to cooperation with a memorandum of understanding signed at the Fifa congress in Vancouver this past April. This partnership has been further solidified by their shared opposition to recent Fifa governance proposals.
While Uefa declined to comment on the record, sources familiar with the discussions confirmed that talks are actively underway. Concacaf also declined to provide a direct statement but emphasized its long history of collaboration, noting that its Gold Cup has frequently featured guest nations, including teams from Conmebol, South Africa, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The report also notes that the two confederations are now working on creating their own biennial tournament, which could launch as early as 2028 after the next European Championship, has learned that having come together to push for Gianni Infantino’s removal in the light of the World Cup sell-off controversy. The report also notes that the number of teams in each league has yet to be determined, but all 96 members of Uefa and Concacaf would be involved and much of the revenue pooled, generating significant additional income for smaller nations, with serious discussions having begun only in the last few weeks. The report also notes that however, so that would be a more long-term aspiration, the AFC does not currently operate a Nations League.
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