Published: August 21, 2026
Author: Syed Muhammad Qaim
LONDON: UEFA and Concacaf are exploring the possibility of creating a joint Nations League, a proposal that could bring national teams from Europe and the Americas into the same international competition.
The talks are at an early stage, so no final tournament format has been approved. However, the proposal could create a new biennial competition involving the 96 member associations of UEFA and Concacaf. A possible launch could come in 2028, after the next European Championship.
UEFA and Concacaf Strengthen Their Partnership
The latest discussions follow closer cooperation between the two football confederations.
In April 2026, UEFA and Concacaf signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering areas such as youth development, coaching, refereeing, club licensing and the exchange of football expertise. The agreement was designed to support the long-term development of the sport in both regions.
The proposed Nations League would represent a much larger step in that relationship.
European and North American Teams Could Meet
One of the biggest attractions of the proposal would be regular competitive matches between teams from the two confederations.
European football powers such as Spain, France, England and Germany could potentially face leading Concacaf teams including Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Such fixtures would give national teams opportunities to face opponents outside their usual regional competitions. They could also create new international rivalries and attract significant interest from supporters.
Possible Competition Could Begin in 2028
Reports indicate that the proposed competition could begin as early as 2028.
The idea would reportedly follow the existing Nations League model, with teams placed into different divisions according to their sporting level. A knockout stage and final tournament could then determine the eventual champion.
However, the exact number of teams in each division has not yet been decided.
The proposal is also expected to use existing international windows rather than create an entirely new set of match dates. Under the reported plan, league matches could take place between September and November, followed by knockout games and finals later in the season.
Existing Nations League Competitions
Both confederations already operate Nations League competitions.
UEFA’s Nations League provides European national teams with regular competitive fixtures, while Concacaf also uses its Nations League to create meaningful matches across North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Concacaf’s fifth edition is scheduled across the September-October and November 2026 international windows.
A combined tournament could therefore build on systems that are already familiar to both confederations.
Financial Benefits for Smaller Nations
A joint competition could also create financial opportunities for smaller football associations.
According to reports, revenue from the proposed tournament could be shared among participating nations. This could provide additional resources for football development, infrastructure and youth programs in countries with smaller commercial markets.
For larger nations, meanwhile, the tournament could offer more commercially attractive international fixtures.
The FIFA Factor
The proposal comes during a period of growing tension between several football confederations and FIFA leadership.
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation recently issued a joint letter calling for greater transparency and an independent review of FIFA’s controversial commercial plans.
Reuters has also reported that UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC are considering whether to seek a vote of no confidence against FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
That wider dispute provides important context for the proposed competition. Still, the Nations League discussions should not be treated as a confirmed breakaway tournament or a finalized alternative to FIFA competitions.
AFC Could Eventually Join
The proposal could potentially expand beyond Europe and Concacaf.
The Asian Football Confederation has reportedly shown interest in joining a broader international Nations League in the future. However, the AFC does not currently operate a Nations League, meaning any involvement would require further planning.
A wider competition involving Europe, the Americas and Asia would be a major change to international football. It would also create significant challenges involving travel, scheduling and the international match calendar.
What Happens Next?
For now, the UEFA–Concacaf joint Nations League remains a proposal.
The two confederations still need to agree on the competition format, participating divisions, schedule and commercial structure. There is also no confirmed start date.
If the plan moves forward, however, it could give international football a new dimension.
European and North American teams would have more opportunities to compete against each other, while smaller nations could gain new sporting and financial opportunities.
For football fans, the prospect of seeing teams such as Spain, France, Mexico and the United States regularly compete in the same tournament could make the proposed Nations League one of the most interesting developments in international football.
For now, supporters will have to wait for UEFA and Concacaf to provide further details before the competition can be considered official.
