UEFA and Concacaf Begin Talks on Combined Nations League

UEFA and Concacaf have begun discussions about creating a combined Nations League involving their 96 member associations, according to reporting by The Guardian. The talks are described as being at an early stage, and no competition has been formally approved. Under the proposal being considered, the biennial tournament could launch as early as 2028, after the next European Championship.

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The reported draft would retain the multi-tier league structure already used by both confederations. Top European national teams would share the highest division with leading sides from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. A league phase would then lead into knockout matches and a final-four event to decide the champion. The number of teams assigned to each tier has not yet been determined.

According to The Guardian, league fixtures would be placed in the existing September, October and November international windows. Knockout games would follow in March, with finals planned for June. The proposal is intended to replace current international fixtures rather than expand the calendar, while geographic blocks would be used in an effort to limit travel.

All 96 UEFA and Concacaf members would be included in the proposed structure. The report says much of the revenue would be pooled, a model that could provide additional income for smaller national associations. It also notes the commercial attraction of regular competitive matches between prominent European teams and leading Concacaf nations such as Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Both governing bodies launched their own Nations League competitions in 2018 and stage matches during the same international periods. That existing overlap could make a shared format easier to organize. The report also says the Asian Football Confederation has shown interest in potentially joining a broader competition later, although that is presented as a longer-term possibility because the AFC does not currently operate a Nations League.

Important issues remain unresolved. The Guardian reported that it is unclear whether FIFA approval would be required because the proposed matches would occupy already agreed international windows. UEFA declined to comment on the talks, while a source familiar with the proposal confirmed to the newspaper that discussions were taking place. Concacaf did not comment directly on the plan and instead pointed to its established record of cooperation with other confederations.