Friday 3 November 2017 18:30, UK
More worldwide football tournaments involving more national teams could be coming to every odd-numbered year under new UEFA proposals.
The plan would invite all 223 members of football's six confederations and take place every two years, expanding on UEFA's Nations League, which kicks off next September in Europe.
The concept is designed to give national teams competitive games against opponents at a similar level, replacing friendlies that are less interesting to fans and broadcasters.
Teams would be graded in seven divisions according to their FIFA ranking, with each confederation running its own qualifying groups, with promotion and relegation every two years.
Group winners would advance to eight-team intercontinental tournaments in each of the seven divisions, to be played in June.
The likely appeal of the Global Nations League for most FIFA member federations, who rarely qualify for a World Cup, is a realistic chance to compete for a trophy and prize money by qualifying for a final tournament.
It would also align with the FIFA-managed calendar of playing dates when clubs must release players for national team duty.
The first mini-tournaments would each be hosted over one week in a different country and could be played in 2021, officials said.
If approved, it means teams such as Germany and Brazil, Spain and Argentina, Japan and the United States, could play each other competitively between each World Cup, perhaps even twice.
In the format being discussed, the top division final tournaments would include three European teams, two from South America, plus one each from Africa, Asia, and the North American region. Oceania teams would play in the fourth tier.
The June 2021 dates are seen as a prime slot for a new or expanded competition because FIFA said the Confederations Cup is at risk of being scrapped.
"UEFA can confirm that it has initiated discussions regarding the evolution of the UEFA Nations League," the governing body said in a statement on Friday.
"These constructive discussions involve our national associations, European football stakeholders, all confederations and of course FIFA, with whom we have a very good relationship," UEFA said. "We have included (FIFA) in discussions on this topic since the start. No decisions have been made at this time."
