By Paul Nicholson
April 29 – With CONCACAF and South American confederation CONMEBOL readying for their Miami press conference, CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb has hinted that changes to the accepted structures of the regional competitions could be considered in the future.
The Thursday announcement is expected to turn the long-standing rumour that the Copa América Centenario tournament will be played in the US into reality. This will, as promoted, be a historical announcement. The Copa América is the oldest international continental soccer competition still in existence.
More details to come later this week.
Last week CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb suggested to Spanish speaking media that the CONCACAF Gold Cup could be held in other countries in the confederation.
“I believe that the Gold Cup shouldn’t always be held in just one country. It’s the best tournament in the area and all [Concacaf’s] members should have the possibility to receive the big prize that is this tournament. The decision to hold it in the U.S. has been for financial reasons exclusively,” said Webb.
The US has all the infrastructure in terms of stadia, ticketing and a sponsorship market to adequately host the Gold Cup. The 2013 edition was proof of the bar having been raised with this competition.
Webb was cautious to insist that it was important that the competition was not devalued and that any move of host would build on the value and integrity of the competition.
However, there would be other CONCACAF federations who could be expected to bid. Canada has made no secret of its ambitions to host big football events and is hosting the FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup this year and the full Women’s World Cup next. Costa Rica this year has already hosted a very successful FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup.
Mexico, who would also be expected to be a contender for hosting, are currently believed not to have the same appetite for taking on the Gold Cup hosting. The country already plays a number of successful international fixtures in the US and even plays a tour in major cities.
With the large number of Mexican Americans, the US has become a second home for El Tri.
Webb also said that CONCACAF might allow Mexico to compete in the 2015 Copa America with a full squad. To date Mexico has sent a team based around U23 players in order to protect the importance of the Gold Cup. Again, the issue would centre around the devaluing of the Gold Cup which Webb says will remain the confederation’s premium tournament for national teams.
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