By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – The North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) is gunning for a fourth automatic place at the next World Cup in Brazil.
President Jack Warner (pictured) says his Confederation deserves four spots in the 2014 finals because of its record both “on and off the field”.
Still reeling from missing out to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, Warner’s idea would re-open political hostilities between the various factions within FIFA but he intends asking that organisation’s Executive Committee to examine the proposal in March.
Currently, CONCACAF receives three automatic berths with a play-off determining whether it wins another.
Warner told a news conference in Panama that giving an extra place to CONCACAF would simplify FIFA’s calendar, since it would not have to find dates to schedule play-off games.
“We believe that CONCACAF deserves another full place at the World Cup finals,” said Warner.
“We have earned it.
“Our teams have proven themselves on the field of play, our administrative capacity has grown on and off the field of play and we have shown that CONCACAF is a powerhouse.”
At last year’s World Cup in South Africa, CONCACAF was represented by the United States, Mexico and Honduras.
Costa Rica finished fourth in qualifying, then lost their play-off against South Americans Uruguay to miss out on the showpiece.
The South Americans are bound to oppose Warner’s idea which, tellingly, coincides with CONCACAF’s 50th anniversary.
Many neutrals would question whether CONCACAF deserves to take a place away from a confederation that includes several of the world’s major footballing powerhouses even though Brazil would not have to qualify.
In 2006, however, Trinidad and Tobago became only the second English-speaking Caribbean team to qualify for the finals.
“After 50 years of existence, CONCACAF has proven that it is worthy of four spots in the World Cup,” said Warner.
“We, the members of the Executive Committee, will do all in our power to ensure that our region continues to flourish, advance and progress.”
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