Mlssoccer.com
Official word on the future of the long-rumored Copa América Centenario could be coming – and coming soon.
According to a
report on Thursday on the website of beIN Sports, an official announcement of the 2016 tournament that will reportedly be held in the United States could come as soon as May 1. When contacted by MLSsoccer.com, CONMEBOL, South America’s soccer governing body and the organization planning the special edition of the quadrennial tournament to commemorate its 100th anniversary, had no comment.
CONCACAF, which has been working with CONMEBOL to finalize the event, has not responded to a request for comment, while U.S. Soccer referred MLSsoccer.com to CONCACAF.
CONMEBOL released what was seemingly confirmation of the tournament in October 2012, but had to retract after concerns arose from CONCACAF and U.S. Soccer. But this January,
news leaked that six US stadiums had been selected: the Rose Bowl, Stanford Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Florida Citrus Bowl, RFK Stadium and Reliant Stadium.
The special tournament will reportedly consist of 16 teams, including the US, Mexico and four other CONCACAF representatives and South America's 10 nations.
The Copa América is the oldest international continental soccer competition still in existence. It was first played in 1916 in Uruguay, who are the current champions after winning the 2011 edition vs. Paraguay and hold the record for most tournament wins with 15.
