Focus on development takes center stage as CONCACAF and CONMEBOL review World Cup technical report

Panama City, Panama (Thursday, September 11, 2014) – Representatives from CONCACAF and CONMEBOL met in Panama City today to review the FIFA World Cup Technical Report and gather valuable insights from the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 in a bid to furnish the region’s coaches and technical directors with the latest developments in the field.

For CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb, the technical seminar is all about celebrating how far some CONCACAF Member Associations have progressed, setting the bar and blazing the trail for the rest of the region.

“As we gain respect and admiration in the global football arena, these accomplishments are a testament of the development and promising future that lies ahead. At CONCACAF, our top priority is development,” said Webb in his opening remarks. “I would like to extend our utmost congratulations to all the national teams from the Americas for their outstanding performance throughout the World Cup. Representing our Confederation with impressive stature, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and the United States displayed boundless passion and commitment to excellence. Undoubtedly, this World Cup set new records for the world of football.”

For the first time in history, CONCACAF advanced three national teams beyond the World Cup group stage, good for the second-highest success rate of all Confederations, behind only CONMEBOL. Also of note, those three teams now count among the top 20 in the latest FIFA rankings.

As a direct result of the CONCACAF Member Associations’ vision and focused investment in youth and player development, President Webb’s anticipates that other regional federations will find inspiration to reach into their own untapped potential. With continued commitment in the areas of player development, coaching and technical support, the region will successfully refine the game and take it to new heights.

“I have confidence that the results at hand will undoubtedly strengthen CONCACAF’s case for a fourth automatic place in the 32-team field at the FIFA World Cup,’ concluded Webb. “Likewise, CONCACAF’s display in Brazil should heighten interest in our upcoming tournaments: 2015 Gold Cup and 2016 Centennial Cup, alongside our friends from CONMEBOL.”

Emerging from this World Cup, football across CONCACAF is riding high on new wave of technical and tactical awareness. Improving technical capacity will no doubt aid in CONCACAF’s continued triumphs at international competitions in the future. Technical analyses — such as the one being conducted in Panama — along with post-event discussions at the forum, will provide a valuable opportunity to make upgrades and enhancements.

Among the officials accompanying President Webb in expressing that point of view in Panama are FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke and Director of Development Thierry Regenass, as well as CONMEBOL President Juan Angel Napout, and Panamanian Football Federation President Pedro Chaluja.

“The World Cup in Brazil was considered the best tournament in history and this was thanks to the quality of football,” said Valcke. “Congratulations to both Confederations on all the great work and great performances on this tournament.”

With the success of both of the Americas’ Confederations at the FIFA World Cup, all eyes in the football world will certainly now be turned to the United States in 2016 for the Centennial Cup America. Following a historic agreement between CONCACAF and CONMEBOL reached in May, the 100th anniversary edition of South America’s signature Copa America is scheduled to be played outside of that region for the first time. The historic competition will consist of CONMEBOL’s 10 members and six teams from CONCACAF.

“We are in a great place with regards to the relationship between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF,” said Napout. “The world is smaller now because we share the same vision.”