[olckicker]

Next to the World Cup the Euro championship is the most important tournament for UEFA teams. I'm not sure about Asia, Africa and Oceania...the African Champions Cup seems to be very important for African teams.

Meanwhile in the western hemisphere Concocaf's Gold Cup and Copa America aren't high on the list for most teams. How can this change? I think eliminating invitations to teams outside the confederations is a start.

Another possibility is to eliminate the Gold Cup and make Copa America a championship for both Americas. But this could be a problem for the Confederations Cup.

[deejay]

Originally posted by olckicker
Next to the World Cup the Euro championship is the most important tournament for UEFA teams. I'm not sure about Asia, Africa and Oceania...the African Champions Cup seems to be very important for African teams.

Meanwhile in the western hemisphere Concocaf's Gold Cup and Copa America aren't high on the list for most teams. How can this change? I think eliminating invitations to teams outside the confederations is a start.

Another possibility is to eliminate the Gold Cup and make Copa America a championship for both Americas. But this could be a problem for the Confederations Cup.

CONCACAF is high on most teams list. Just not Mexico's. Instead they try to make the most of their Copa America appearances. Once they get spanked enough in the CONCACAF version they'll get plenty serious.

It's ridiculous to make a common cup for both confederations. The problem is lack of organization and/or motivation.

[Samarkand]

Not sure CONCACAF or CONMEBOL would ever agree, unless of course the money was right. Then again agreeing might give FIFA the idea to amalgamate both Federations and that's something neither definitely wants.

[olckicker]

Originally posted by deejay


CONCACAF is high on most teams list. Just not Mexico's. Instead they try to make the most of their Copa America appearances. Once they get spanked enough in the CONCACAF version they'll get plenty serious.

It's ridiculous to make a common cup for both confederations. The problem is lack of organization and/or motivation.

USA didn't take the last Gold Cup seriously either. It was viewed as World Cup preparation. That could be one change. Make the Gold Cup a 4 year event in non world cup years.

[deejay]

Originally posted by olckicker


USA didn't take the last Gold Cup seriously either. It was viewed as World Cup preparation. That could be one change. Make the Gold Cup a 4 year event in non world cup years.

yes, but at least they used their top domestic players and some from abroad.

Mexico couldn't even be bothered to do that.

[Sachin]

Originally posted by deejay


yes, but at least they used their top domestic players and some from abroad.

Mexico couldn't even be bothered to do that.

We used a couple of top players: Keller, McBride and Donovan and maybe Eddie Pope.

Just about everyone else on that roster was not in the World Cup picture at that point. I know a few players such as Maestroeni and Beasley made it to Korea, but that was the exception, not the rule.

Moving the Confed Championships to Olympic years all played in the same time frame will boost interest in all of them.

Sachin