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As soccer gains popularity in the United States, an opportunity has risen to expedite its stamp on American culture. The governing bodies of the Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Confederation of South American Football (CONMEBOL), have partnered to celebrate Copa America’s 100th year. Come 2016, soccer fans around the world will focus their attention to the first ever Centennial Cup America.
Yes, it does sound odd to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of an organization and tournament that is exclusively made up of South American nations in the United States. But we're not complaining. Normally the two organizations are separate with their own respective tournaments; the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America. But 2016 brings new opportunity, especially for the growth of soccer in the US.
For the first time, the U.S. will have an opportunity to play some of the best soccer countries in the world on a competitive stage. The tournament will coincide with the Euro 2016 tournament, so soccer fans will be graced with top-notch European soccer by day and be able to catch the best soccer from our side of the globe by night.
“We are proud to play a leading role in the celebration of the centennial of a tournament born to unite all America,” CONMEBOL president Eugenio Figeredo said. “ Year after year the Cup has gained prestige, which has allowed the opening of doors to the football of an entire continent. Now, CONCACAF and the United States will play host to the world’s oldest national team competition.”
This is a big deal. It’s the first time world-class players and teams will truly compete on American soil since the 1994 World Cup.
The tournament will be held in cities across the United States from June 3rd to June 26th, 2016. The 16 team field includes 10 CONMEBOL members, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Their will be six CONCACAF representatives, including the United States and Mexico.
The rest of the CONCACAF field will be determined by the 2014 champion of the Caribbean Football Union, the champion of the Caribbean Cup and the winner of the Central American Cup which will begin in the fall of 2014.
Players like Neymar, Lionel Messi, Falcao and Luis Suarez will bring their skills to American soil. Let’s be honest, the competition in CONCACAF is secondary to the rest of the world, so this is the United States' chance to compete against the best players on a massive stage…and on our home soil. To truly elevate the status of soccer in the U.S., we will need to make this opportunity count in 2016 and far beyond.
