Football · International
UEFA and CONCACAF in Talks Over a Combined Nations League Launching as Early as 2028
UEFA and CONCACAF have opened discussions about creating a joint Nations League tournament that would bring all 96 of their member nations together in a single competition, according to reporting by The Guardian.
The biennial tournament could launch in 2028, following the next European Championship.
The move is the latest escalation in a wider governance battle. Both confederations have been pushing for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's removal after a controversy over the proposed sale of World Cup commercial rights. The pressure is mounting fast.
What the New Tournament Would Look Like
The Guardian reports the competition would mirror the multi-league format already used by both confederations in their separate Nations Leagues.
A group-stage league phase would run across the September, October, and November international windows, with knockout matches in March and a final-four event in June.
League A would feature Europe's strongest sides alongside the top-ranked Concacaf nations. Teams from Germany, England, France, and Spain would face off competitively against the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
All 96 member associations would participate, with revenue pooled to generate additional income for smaller nations.
Because the fixtures would fall within existing FIFA-ratified international windows, it remains unclear whether the competition would require formal approval from the world governing body.
Mexico's Position and the Commercial Pull
The Guardian also notes that Mexico's football federation has held early discussions about leaving CONCACAF to join South America's Conmebol. The prospect of a prestigious joint competition with Europe's elite could help persuade Mexico to stay.
That is no small consideration.
Regular competitive matches between top European clubs' national sides and North American nations would attract major broadcast and sponsorship interest. The commercial case is significant.
Cracks in the Anti-Infantino Coalition
The united front against FIFA's leadership is not without its own fractures.
Qatar's Football Association president, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, publicly challenged the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after it co-signed the August 10 joint statement with UEFA and CONCACAF, according to Yeni Safak.
Al-Thani stated that Qatar had received no advance notice and no opportunity to review the document before it was published in the AFC's name.
He argued that a confederation cannot claim to speak collectively for its members without first seeking their views. The QFA requested a written explanation from AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa detailing the consultation process used.
The AFC hit back sharply, according to Streamlinefeed, asserting that its primary duty is to its 47 member associations rather than to individual nations or their financial interests.
Infantino, who faces a presidential election in March 2027, retains backing from Argentina, Mexico, and the Confederation of African Football. He is not finished yet.
Infantino's Path Forward
With UEFA, CONCACAF, and parts of the AFC united against him, Infantino is fighting on multiple fronts. The Guardian reported separately that he has been eyeing a junior tournament in the Dominican Republic as a potential way to demonstrate continued influence.
His position at the March 2027 election remains contested.
Talks are still early. Discussions between UEFA and CONCACAF over the joint Nations League only began in earnest within the past few weeks, with the number of teams per league still to be determined.