The United States will be host to the Copa America for the first time in 2016, according to Bleacher Report. Such schedule puts more emphasis on America becoming more engaged in international football or soccer.
Jeffrey Webb, president of Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), said that USA soccer will boost the sport's popularity among Americans with the hosting of Copa America.
The announcement was made on May 2, 2014 at a press conference in Miami, held by the CONCACAF and South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). The tournament will run starting June 3, 2016 until June 26, a report by Yahoo! Sports said. The tournament celebrates its Centenary year in 2016 and will feature all 10 South American teams and six teams representing North and Central America and the Caribbean. Some notable countries in the list include Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras and Argentina.
Eugenio Figueredo, president of CONMEBOL shared his excitement with the new setup. He said that the clubs are doing their best to feature the best matches and players in the sport. All first line players will be included in their choices, according to a report by Soccerly. The Americas are creating more convenient ways for teams to play with added regularity, similar to a European tournament setup.
He said that for the first time, Copa America will return to its roots in the north. He shared, "What football can do is unite the Americas like never before and reach a previously unexplored pinnacle."
Since 1975, the Copa America has been held 14 times and hosted by various countries. The tournament features teams from North and South America. The United States has joined the four times before. In Europe, the European Championship is the premier tournament. Officials are working to promote Copa America to make it the most prestigious event in soccer in the global region.
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