Biennial tournament could launch as early as 2028
Confederations are seeking to oust Gianni Infantino
Uefa and Concacaf have begun talks about setting up a combined Nations League tournament featuring all 96 European and North and Central American and Caribbean countries, in another direct challenge to Fifa.
The Guardian has learned that having come together to push for Gianni Infantino’s removal in the light of the World Cup sell-off controversy, the two confederations are now working on creating their own biennial tournament, which could launch as early as 2028 after the next European Championship.
Although discussions are at an early stage, it is understood the new competition would mirror the current multi-league format used for the existing Nations Leagues by Europe’s governing body and Concacaf, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football. It would be followed by a knockout phase, a final-four tournament to determine the champions.
League A would feature the top teams in Europe, including Spain, France, England and Germany, playing competitive league fixtures against the highest-ranked nations in Concacaf such as Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Uefa and Concacaf launched Nations League competitions in 2018, with the confederations staging fixtures in the same international windows, so the mechanics required to set up a joint tournament are already in place.
Under the draft plans the league phase would be played during the existing September, October and November international breaks, followed by knockout matches in March and finals in June.
As the fixtures would take place during international windows that have already been agreed, it is unclear whether the new tournament would need to be ratified by Fifa, although given the world governing body is in the midst of an existential crisis with Infantino facing a leadership challenge that may be a moot point.
With serious discussions having begun only in the last few weeks, 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.
The commercial appeal of the bigger European teams playing regular competitive matches in North America and Canada would be considerable, while there would also be major benefits for Mexico, whose football federation (FMF) is known to be frustrated by what it sees as the financial limitations of playing within Concacaf.
The FMF has held initial discussions about leaving to join the South American confederation, Conmebol, in a move that would need to be ratified by Fifa, but the prospect of lucrative matches against European opposition could lead to a change of heart.
The proposed new format would replace rather than add to existing international fixtures, while games would be played in geographic blocks to reduce travel.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is also understood to have expressed interest in joining a global Nations League at a future date, and the competition structure being discussed would be flexible enough to accommodate them. The AFC does not currently operate a Nations League, however, so that would be a more long-term aspiration.
Uefa and Concacaf have been working together for some time, and signed a memorandum of understanding to promote greater cooperation at Fifa’s congress in Vancouver in April, but have become even more closely aligned since the World Cup sell-off plan emerged last month.
Both confederations have made it abundantly clear that they regard Infantino’s position as untenable as a result of his role in the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, and are working together to propose an alternative candidate to stand against him in the presidential election next March.
Uefa declined to comment, although one source with knowledge of the proposal confirmed discussions are under way.
Concacaf declined to comment directly, but highlighted the confederation’s longstanding commitment to collaboration, which has led to guest teams participating in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
A historically strong relationship with Conmebol has resulted in many South American teams taking part in the Gold Cup, as have South Africa, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
