UEFA Concacaf Nations League talks are underway over a proposed joint tournament involving all 96 European and North, Central American and Caribbean nations, potentially launching as early as 2028.
The ambitious proposal would bring together the two confederations in a biennial competition, creating regular competitive matches between leading European nations and major teams from Concacaf.
The discussions represent another major development in the increasingly tense relationship between the continental bodies and Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
UEFA and Concacaf have already worked together through their separate Nations League competitions, which were launched in 2018 and operate during international windows.
UEFA Concacaf Nations League plans gather momentum
Under the emerging proposal, the competition would use a format similar to the existing Nations League structures operated independently by UEFA and Concacaf.
The tournament could feature multiple leagues based on sporting strength, with the highest-ranked European and Concacaf nations competing against each other in the leading division.
Teams such as Spain, France, England and Germany could potentially face Mexico, the United States and Canada in competitive international fixtures.
Rather than adding matches to an already crowded football calendar, the proposed tournament would replace existing international fixtures during designated windows.
The league phase could take place during the September, October and November international breaks, followed by knockout matches in March and finals during June.
The proposed calendar would make the competition easier to organise because the relevant international windows already exist within the football schedule.
How the proposed tournament could work
The competition would reportedly culminate in a knockout stage and final-four tournament, with the eventual winner crowned champion of the combined competition.
All 96 UEFA and Concacaf members would participate, although the number of teams assigned to each league has yet to be determined.
The proposal could also introduce geographic blocks for fixtures, helping reduce the enormous travel demands created by regular matches between Europe and North America.
Much of the tournament revenue could reportedly be pooled, potentially creating substantial financial benefits for smaller national associations participating in the competition.
That element could make the project particularly attractive to developing football nations that traditionally receive fewer commercial opportunities than the biggest teams.
European giants could face Mexico and USA
One of the biggest attractions would be the prospect of European powerhouses regularly travelling to North America for competitive matches.
England, France, Germany and Spain could potentially meet Mexico, the United States and Canada in fixtures carrying greater sporting and commercial value than many traditional friendlies.
The commercial appeal could be enormous, particularly with North America having become one of football’s fastest-growing markets.
The proposed competition could also benefit Mexico, whose football federation has reportedly expressed frustration over the financial limitations of remaining within Concacaf.
Mexico has previously held discussions about potentially leaving Concacaf for Conmebol, although such a move would require Fifa approval.
A lucrative joint Nations League featuring regular European opposition could therefore provide Mexico with an alternative path to greater commercial exposure without leaving its confederation.
UEFA and Concacaf challenge Fifa
The proposed tournament also carries significant political implications because UEFA and Concacaf have increasingly aligned themselves in opposition to Infantino’s leadership.
The two confederations previously joined efforts to push for Infantino’s removal following controversy surrounding Fifa’s World Cup-related plans.
They are reportedly working together on an alternative candidate who could challenge Infantino during next March’s presidential election.
The proposed Nations League therefore represents more than a sporting competition, with its creation potentially strengthening the influence of UEFA and Concacaf within international football.
The Guardian reported that both confederations regard Infantino’s position as “untenable” following his role in the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal.
UEFA declined to comment on the proposed competition, while a source familiar with the plans confirmed that discussions were taking place.
Concacaf also declined to comment directly but pointed towards its “longstanding commitment to collaboration” with other football organisations.
That existing collaborative approach could provide a foundation for expanding the relationship between the two confederations.
Fifa approval remains uncertain
One major question is whether the proposed tournament would require formal approval from Fifa before it could begin.
Because the matches would be played during international windows that have already been agreed, it remains unclear whether additional ratification from football’s global governing body would be necessary.
That uncertainty could become significant given the current political tensions between Infantino and the confederations behind the proposal.
If the tournament progresses without strong Fifa support, it could deepen an already serious power struggle over the future direction of international football.
Asia could join global Nations League
The potential competition could eventually become even larger, with the Asian Football Confederation reportedly interested in joining a global Nations League at a later stage.
The AFC does not currently operate its own Nations League, meaning its participation would require a longer-term development of the proposed structure.
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However, the flexibility of the format being discussed could allow other confederations to participate if agreements are eventually reached.
Such an expansion could transform the competition from a transatlantic tournament into a genuinely global international football league.
The possibility of Asian participation would also create opportunities for countries such as Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and others to compete more regularly against elite European opposition.
What the new Nations League could mean
If approved, the competition could dramatically change international football by replacing numerous conventional fixtures with meaningful matches involving teams from different confederations.
Supporters could potentially see England face Mexico, France meet the United States or Germany battle Canada in competitive fixtures outside major tournaments.
Smaller nations could benefit financially from pooled revenue, while elite teams could gain commercially from playing regularly in important North American markets.
The proposed tournament could also strengthen cooperation between UEFA and Concacaf while giving both confederations greater influence over international football’s commercial and sporting future.
However, the plan remains at an early stage, and several important details, including league sizes, qualification arrangements and governance, have yet to be finalised.
The biggest uncertainty may ultimately be political, with the relationship between Fifa and the confederations likely to influence whether the ambitious proposal becomes reality.
For now, the UEFA Concacaf Nations League discussions represent one of the boldest attempts yet to reshape the international football calendar and challenge the existing balance of power.
