CONMEBOL and UEFA have announced that as of 2024, South American nations are to compete in the UEFA Nations League competition.
Both footballing bodies signed a renewed and extended Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday to commit to the ‘potential organisation of a variety football events.’
The move reflects the ever-growing relationship between CONMEBOL and UEFA, with the historic ‘Finalissima’ match between Euro winners Italy, and Copa America winners Argentina to be played in June 2022. However, the proposal also represents strong opposition to Arsene Wenger and FIFA’s plan for a biennial World Cup.
After Thursday’s Nations League draw for the 2022-23 tournament, UEFA vice-president Zbigniew Boniek stated, “This is the last UEFA Nations League under this format”
“As many as 22 teams will play in League A, six of them from CONMEBOL. The remaining four will be added to League B.”
Currently, there is no certified arrangements for the scheduling of games, but further fixture congestion across the calendar is certain.
Nevertheless, all the matches are due to be played in Europe, meaning that the continents finest talent will not have to travel the long distance across the Atlantic any time soon.
Fans took to social media to express their views, with many mixed opinions over the changed format to the maturing tournament, only established in September 2018.
Whilst the move is of clear opposition to FIFA’s World Cup plans, it will boost the credibility and competitiveness of the Nations League in the future, adding to the desired silverware that teams such as England are so thirsty for.
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