CONCACAF confirms League of Nations tournament set for 2018

CONCACAF has announced that the League of Nations tournament featuring all 41 CONCACAF teams is set to begin in September 2018. 

The competition, which is set to replace most international friendlies for CONCACAF sides, will be split into three divisions based on the strength of the teams and will feature promotion and relegation.

With UEFA's Nations League also beginning in 2018, the amount of inter-confederation friendlies appears set to decrease worldwide. 

Both confederations' League of Nations matches will take place in FIFA windows normally reserved for friendlies.

For CONCACAF, the League of Nations will be a chance for some of the region's smaller teams to have a regularly scheduled set of matches, which has proven difficult in the past for some.

“This is a watershed moment for CONCACAF. By focusing on football to provide all our teams with year-round, quality competition, the League of Nations platform means everyone wins,” CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani said in a federation release.

“This new tournament is highly beneficial to all our member associations and fans everywhere, since it provides significant opportunities to play important competitive matches with increased regularity throughout the year.” 

The League of Nations will also serve as qualifying for the Gold Cup, as well as forming the basis for future World Cup qualifying seeding. 

Full details of the CONCACAF League of Nations, including the format and schedule, will be announced early next year.