UEFA working with CONMEBOL on joint Nations League

UEFA is in talks with the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) over a joint Nations League that would see the likes of Brazil and Argentina feature in the expanded competition, reports Reuters on Friday citing European football’s governing body.

UEFA and CONMEBOL have fiercely opposed world soccer body FIFA’s plans for a biennial World Cup, with the two this week signing an extended Memorandum of Understanding until June 2028.

“UEFA is working on a number of projects with CONMEBOL, including a joint Nations League but nothing is finalized and no decisions have yet been made,” reports Reuters quoting a spokesperson.

In an interview with Polish outlet Meczyki on Thursday, UEFA vice-president Zbigniew Boniek said the 10 South American teams will be added to the Nations League competition from 2024.

“From 2024 CONMEBOL will join the Nations League. We do not know yet in what formula, in what form, we signed a memorandum about cooperation between CONMEBOL and UEFA and from 2024 these teams will play in the Nations League,” he said.

Boniek added that six CONMEBOL teams will join League A of the Nations League while the other four will join League B.

The entry of South American sides would increase the number of teams in the two groups from 16 to 22 and 20, respectively, with all the matches reportedly set to be played in Europe to avoid excessive travel.

ARR