The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) are pushing to create a unified Nations League in a move against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to reports.
The two confederations are in talks to launch the combined Nations League as early as the fall of 2028, Britain's Guardian and U.S. sports outlet ESPN reported on the 21st local time. The discussions gained momentum as the strategic partnership between UEFA and CONCACAF tightened amid a growing conflict between Infantino and the two continental bodies over FIFA's recent push to commercialize the World Cup.
The new competition plans to adopt a multi-tier division and tournament format similar to the existing continental Nations Leagues. In the top-flight League A, Europe's powerhouses such as Spain, France, England and Germany would face North American contenders including the United States, Mexico and Canada. Matches would be held during the previously agreed international windows in September, October and November, followed by a knockout tournament the following March and a "Final Four" in June to decide the overall champion.
Behind the deepening cooperation lies internal conflict at FIFA. After FIFA's "FIFA Forward Enterprise" plan to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup to outside investors stirred controversy, the two confederations publicly called for Infantino to step down and are discussing jointly nominating an alternative candidate for the FIFA presidential election next March. The Guardian reported that "because each confederation's league structure has operated during the same international match windows, the operational foundation for a combined competition is already in place," adding that "since it would take place within the already agreed international match calendar, it is unclear whether FIFA's approval would even be required."
The combined league is expected to have a significant impact in terms of boosting participating nations' finances and drawing crowds. While the number of teams in each league has yet to be finalized, if all 96 member associations of CONCACAF and UEFA take part, broadcasting rights and commercial revenue from the 96 nations could be pooled and distributed, sharply increasing income for smaller football associations and allowing marquee matchups between Europe and North America to be held on a regular basis.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is also said to have expressed interest in joining a future global Nations League. The AFC does not currently run a Nations League, so actual participation could take time, but the Guardian explained that the new competition is set to be designed with a flexible structure that could encompass the AFC.
