Pressure is mounting on Fifa president Gianni Infantino as Uefa holds discussions regarding a broadened Nations League that would include teams outside Europe.
Following an initial report by The Guardian, it is understood that European football’s governing body has entered talks with Concacaf, the confederation representing the nations of North and Central America as well as the Caribbean.
Indications suggest these negotiations could lead to an expanded format as early as the 2028-29 edition of the tournament.
The discussions point to growing cooperation between Uefa and Concacaf on pan-continental competitions to the exclusion of Fifa.
Their respective presidents, Aleksander Ceferin and Victor Montagliani, are both understood to hold the view that Fifa president Infantino should resign and leave his position with dignity, rather than seek re-election amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his failed attempt to bring private investors into the running of the World Cup and other Fifa events.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is also believed to be involved in the Nations League dialogue, though with a view to joining at a later point.
Adding Concacaf nations to the tournament would not occupy any additional space on the international match calendar. The league phase would take place across the autumn 2028 windows, with the finals scheduled for March and June of the following year.
Meanwhile, Infantino is currently expected to attend a youth football event in the Dominican Republic this weekend, presenting an opportunity to shore up support among Caribbean nations within Concacaf. Some of these countries, including St Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda, have already publicly declared their support.
It is understood that a long-standing invitation for Infantino to attend was issued prior to the emergence of the private investor scandal.
Should he attend, the event would likely bring him face to face with Concacaf president Montagliani, who is viewed by many observers as a potential challenger for the Fifa presidency.
Infantino has also been criticised this week following the sacking of Fifa’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour.
Lamour’s dismissal came just two weeks after he spoke out against Infantino over his failed World Cup sell-off plan as he accused the Fifa boss of “deceiving” staff.
