UEFA and Concacaf launch new editions of Nations League tournaments

International football competitions are entering new phases, with both UEFA and Concacaf organizing major tournaments. The fifth edition of the UEFA Nations League is set to begin in late September 2026, featuring 54 nations across four leagues. The tournament serves as a competitive alternative to international friendlies and includes implications for Euro 2028 qualification. UEFA has also announced structural changes for the 2028/29 season, which will reduce the competition to three leagues (A, B, and C) and adjust promotion and relegation rules to expand League A to 18 teams.

In the Concacaf region, the 2026/27 Nations League begins with League C matches on September 23, featuring teams such as the Turks and Caicos Islands, Montserrat, and Aruba. The tournament also serves as a qualifying pathway for the 2027 Gold Cup. Meanwhile, the Costa Rican national team is preparing for its upcoming matches, with players like Kenyel Michel expressing readiness to compete following the country's recent failure to qualify for the World Cup.