UEFA hint at South American teams in Nations League

After announcing Euro winners Italy and Copa America holders Argentina will face off in London, UEFA also hinted they are working to expand the Nations League with South American teams from 2024.

The ‘Finalissima’ is effectively an Intercontinental Cup for national teams, as the Champions of Europe Italy will meet reigning South American side Argentina in a showcase on June 1, 2022 in London.

This represents only the beginning of increased union between UEFA and CONMEBOL, as UEFA vice-president and former Juventus star Zbigniew Boniek told Polish site Meczyki.

“This is the last UEFA Nations League in this format,” said Boniek after this week’s draw for the 2022-23 edition.

“We had a meeting with CONMEBOL, the confederation of South American countries. From 2024, teams from this continent will join the competition.

“In what format will it be? We’re still working on it. The schedule of matches for the national teams is restricted so you can’t mix it up too much.”

It’s believed six CONMEBOL teams will be entered into Nations League A, while a further four will go into League B.

As many of the South American players are already based with their clubs in Europe, it is hoped staging these games in Europe will also help lower the number of intercontinental flights the star names must engage in.

The plan would expand the Nations League from its current 16 teams to 22 in League A and 20 in League B.

It is also another step in UEFA and CONMEBOL battling FIFA, who are trying to push through plans for a World Cup every two years rather than the current four.