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UEFA and Concacaf are moving towards a major overhaul of the Nations League, with formal talks under way over a possible merger of their respective competitions. The proposed plan, which could begin as early as 2028, would bring together Europe’s top sides and the leading teams from North and Central America in a redesigned tier-based format.

A new phase for international football

In what could become one of the biggest structural changes in international football in recent years, UEFA and Concacaf are examining the option of creating a combined Nations League tournament. According to ESPN, both confederations are in active discussions about linking their leading league competitions, with autumn 2028 being targeted as the launch window.

The proposed tie-up comes at a time of political strain in the global game. ESPN reported that the Nations League negotiations are not a direct consequence of the crisis currently surrounding FIFA, but the relationship between UEFA and Concacaf has clearly grown closer. The talks come after FIFA’s unsuccessful effort to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup to outside investors, a move that sparked an attempt to remove president Gianni Infantino, with both confederations firmly opposed to his leadership and his handling of the governing body.

Solving the friendly match problem

For Concacaf’s biggest teams, including the United States and Mexico, the main reason behind the proposed partnership is to improve the level of competition. Before the Nations League was introduced, both countries regularly arranged strong friendlies against leading European nations during international breaks. But with those dates now taken up by UEFA Nations League matches, the North American powers have had to search elsewhere for elite opposition.

Those scheduling difficulties can be seen in the next set of international windows. The United States, for example, has a four-match programme across September and October, facing Peru and Chile before taking on regional rivals Mexico and Canada. Although those games still carry value, U.S. Soccer believes that playing in a unified Nations League would provide a more consistently high standard of opposition.

Logistics and the tiered league model

Although there is clear interest in the project, the exact format has not yet been settled. It is understood that no final decision has been taken, but talks have focused on preserving the tiered league system currently used in both competitions. Even so, travel demands and the possible promotion and relegation arrangements between the two confederations remain major obstacles.

The intended timeline has been moved to 2028 because of the packed international schedule ahead. With the next Concacaf Nations League campaign beginning next month, there was no realistic way to reshape the tournament structures of both confederations in time, making autumn 2028 the more practical objective.

Commercial opportunities

Apart from the sporting advantages, a merger also carries major financial appeal. For UEFA, the main benefit would be the chance to strengthen its presence in the highly valuable North American market, where interest in football has risen sharply following the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.