The South American Football Confederation is known as CONMEBOL (Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol in Spanish). It is in charge of planning and directing international football competitions between South American nations, including the Copa América and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for South America. It is the body that oversees football in South America. CONMEBOL, with its headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, was established in 1916. It is one of the six continental football confederations that FIFA, the world's governing body of football, has recognized.
CONMEBOL is the oldest continental confederation in the football world. However, it also has the fewest members among all the continental confederations in the football world.
History
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has a history that stretches back to the early 20th century, a time when South America was seeing a growth in football popularity. Argentina and Uruguay played the first international football game between South American nations in 1901, and this sparked a desire among football associations in the area to host future international events. Members from the football associations of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay formally founded the South American Football Confederation on July 9, 1916.
Members
The 10 member associations of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) represented the following countries:
Argentina - Argentine Football Association (AFA)
Bolivia - Bolivian Football Federation (FBF)
Brazil - Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF)
Chile - Football Federation of Chile (FFCh)
Colombia - Colombian Football Federation (FCF)
Ecuador - Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF)
Paraguay - Paraguayan Football Association (APF)
Peru - Peruvian Football Federation (FPF)
Uruguay - Uruguayan Football Association (AUF)
Venezuela - Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF)
Through CONMEBOL, these ten-member associations collaborate to manage and plan football tournaments in South America and to advance the sport's growth on the continent.
Competitions
Here is a list of the major competitions organized by CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation:
1. Copa América:
An international men's football tournament featuring the national teams of the 10 CONMEBOL member associations, as well as invited teams from other confederations.
2. South American qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup:
Qualification tournament for South American national teams to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
3. Copa Libertadores:
A premier club football competition in South America, contested by the top club teams from the 10 CONMEBOL member associations.
4. Copa Sudamericana:
A club football competition in South America, contested by the top club teams from the 10 CONMEBOL member associations that did not qualify for the Copa Libertadores.
5. Recopa Sudamericana:
Competition played between the latest winners of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.
6. CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament (CONMEBOL Preolímpico):
Men's U-23 football tournament, featuring the national teams of the 10 CONMEBOL member associations, to qualify for the football competition in the upcoming Summer Olympics.
7. Copa América Femenina:
A women's football tournament featuring the national teams of the 10 CONMEBOL member associations.
8. Copa Libertadores Femenina:
Women's club football competition in South America, contested by the top club teams from the 10 CONMEBOL member associations.
9. CONMEBOL Sudamericano Sub20:
Men's U-20 football tournament featuring the national teams of the 10 CONMEBOL member associations.
10. CONMEBOL Sudamericano Sub20 Femenino:
Women's U-20 football tournament featuring the national teams of the 10 CONMEBOL member associations.
These competitions are highly anticipated and bring together some of the best football teams and players in South America. They are also important for the development of football in the region and have helped to make South American football one of the most respected and competitive in the world.
CONMEBOL has experienced some difficulties recently, mainly with corruption and governance issues. Nevertheless, the federation has taken action to resolve these problems and has made great strides in enhancing its openness and governance. For many years to come, CONMEBOL's influence on the growth of football in South America will be felt. CONMEBOL is still a significant and prominent organization in the world of football.
