Combine the North and South American Confederations?

[Rover]

This isn't a new argument, but Grahame Jones from the LA Times (who I only sometimes agree with) makes an an interesting case here.

Commenting on how the Gold Cup lost its punch when Mexico was bounced, he brings up the idea of combining CONCACAF with CONMEBOL to make a kind of Confederation of the Americas.

There article's registration required, so here's the central point:

"Things would be far more interesting if FIFA showed some initiative and forced CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, the South American confederation, to combine into a single, 48-nation confederation.

The Gold Cup could then disappear and the Copa America could become the regional championship — an honest-to-goodness Cup of the Americas.

With the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and the U.S. competing, it could, in time, rival the European Championship in appeal. Or, if that's an exaggeration, at least it would be a lot better than what is being offered.

As it stands, CONCACAF's 2005 showcase was merely a blip on soccer's global radar, a pale and largely amateur imitation of last summer's wildly successful Euro 2004 in Portugal and of the equally entertaining Copa America in Peru.

Even CONMEBOL acknowledges its own weakness by inviting foreign teams to play in the Copa America. Costa Rica and Mexico took part in 2004.

Combining the Americas into one confederation could also boost the potential for a club championship along the lines of the enormously successful and lucrative European Champions League.

The Galaxy against Boca Juniors with something on the line would be a lot better than the Galaxy against Real Madrid just for fun."

He goes on to say that sports politics, particularly in the Caribbean, stand in the way.

With the emergence of the United States as a world class team, I think it's in our interest to take this kind of proposition seriously. We have some good teams in CONCACAF, but it drops off fast after the big two and next seven.

And CONMEBOL is strong but, in reality, needs more teams.

The competition we would get would improve our team even more. The downside would be that if with a nearly UEFA-sized number of World Cup spots, qualification would be tougher. But that's a good thing in the long run if we're serious about actually winning a World Cup and not being satisfied with just getting there.

I've also hear of moving the USA and Canada to UEFA, with Mexico and the CA teams moving to CONMEBOL. That's also not as far-fetched as it may initially seem, when you consider the travel distance from Toronto to Buenos Aires as opposed to Milan, for instance. And Israel is in UEFA, although it's not on the European Continent. That's for political reasons, but it's worth noting.

And then there's the boost to MLS from competing in Copa Libertadores.

All in all, I'm in favor of combining CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.

Any thoughts?

[Deuce]

How would that affect the allotment of slots in the WC?
Would a combined region have the same, more or less slots.
Would we lose a slot to Asia because of the current playoff for the last spot?


And if we combined with EUFA would that mean would be part of the champions League and Euro cup tournies?

Would they change the name of the Euro Cup?

[clarette]

It sounds like a major headache waiting to happen.

Or maybe I just need a nap. I'm not really sure which.

It would be more entertaining, definitely, but I wonder if it would hinder the development of teams like Panama in the long term.

[Aerick]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Rover again."

Good thoughts.

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Deuce

How would that affect the allotment of slots in the WC?
Would a combined region have the same, more or less slots.
Would we lose a slot to Asia because of the current playoff for the last spot?


And if we combined with EUFA would that mean would be part of the champions League and Euro cup tournies?

Would they change the name of the Euro Cup?

I think the WC slots would come out about even. Europe already has some ridiculous number--14, I think--and right now an America Confederation would have eight (adding the two "half" slots).

[Rover]

Originally Posted by clarette

It sounds like a major headache waiting to happen.

Or maybe I just need a nap. I'm not really sure which.

It would be more entertaining, definitely, but I wonder if it would hinder the development of teams like Panama in the long term.

True, but the long term result would be better for the USA. On a different scale, but it's not much different from Australia bolting Oceania for the Asian Confederation, which just happened. Of course, the Aussies left everyone else behind to fend for themselves, including the Kiwis.

From CONCACAF, I think it would help the USA, Mexico, Canada, and maybe Costa Rica. It would not be so good for everyone else.

And I think the CONMEBOL teams would generally benefit from having a wider group of teams to play in their region. Nothing is going to damage the international stature of Brazil or Argentina anyway.

If it will make money for FIFA, they can eventaully overcome the objections of the smaller teams in CONCACAF.

[Stucki]

I think this is an idea at least worth exploring. It would probably be a good idea to get rid of Jack Warner as well. I keep hearing some noise that he is somewhat corrupt.

With Costa Rica, Mexico and the US dominating the region, it isn't like other CONCACAF countries have a great chance of qualifying anyway. I think that the minnows of the Caribbean would get even more money from Copa America than they do from the Gold Cup. That would be awesome to play Brasil and Argentina in games that matter. It would also force the US to get better.

The quality of officiating may go up that way as well. CONCACAF may have the worst officials in the world.

[Braveheart]

WC qualifying would never be the same :lamo:

[kc_13]

Originally Posted by Stucki

With Costa Rica, Mexico and the US dominating the region, it isn't like other CONCACAF countries have a great chance of qualifying anyway. I think that the minnows of the Caribbean would get even more money from Copa America than they do from the Gold Cup. That would be awesome to play Brasil and Argentina in games that matter. It would also force the US to get better.

uhm... I dunno how this is gonna sound, but imagine what would it be for the Usa, Mexican and costa rican team playing teams like ARGENTINA and Brazil for a place @ the world cup... it wouldn't be that easy. I mean, they are not unbeatable, but they have a level CONCACAF TEAMS def don't... we are just getting there...
then again that is just a posibility...

Originally Posted by Stucki

The quality of officiating may go up that way as well. CONCACAF may have the worst officials in the world.

that I totally agree with

[Jose Luis Luviano]

KC, don't you remember how Mexico beat Brazil to win the Confederations Cup in '99? (My wife likes to remind me of that). And El Tri beat Brazil to win the 2003 Gold Cup.

I was behind the western goal when Preki scored on Taffarel in '98.

And a decade ago, the US beat Argentina 3-0 in the Copa America. Alexi Lalas scored a goal with his foot in that game!

Yeah, the US, Mexico & Costa Rica will have problems in the Monumental, the Morumbi, etc. But just wait til Brazil has to play in Salt Lake City in January.....

Besides, won't a combined Confederation Of The Americas has at least 8 or 9 spots?

If we can't nose out Paraguay and Jamaica, we don't deserve to go.