RIO DE JANEIRO – Success for North and Central American teams in Brazil is fueling the region’s ambitions for future World Cups.
Costa Rica and Mexico advanced from their groups, and the United States will follow if it avoids defeat to Germany on Thursday. Even Honduras is in contention despite two defeats.
“To have three teams to the round of 16, I think, will be the first time in history,” CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb told The Associated Press. “It would be phenomenal for our confederation.”
It also would help CONCACAF press for a fourth guaranteed entry in the 2018 World Cup. FIFA talks are expected this year on allocating the 31 qualifying places to join host Russia.
“It puts us in a great position to confirm the fourth place,” FIFA vice president Webb said. “This discussion has to take place between the September and December meetings of the FIFA (executive committee).”
Another big goal for CONCACAF is staging the tournament for the first time since the U.S. hosted in 1994.
“Everyone knows our desires of hosting the 2026 World Cup,” Webb, said in a telephone interview from his native Cayman Islands after Mexico beat Croatia 3-1 on Monday.
Mexico, a two-time host in 1970 and ’86, and the U.S. are expected to bid, and Canada also could join the contest which should be decided before the next World Cup kicks off.
CONCACAF was next in line for hosting duty when FIFA dropped a continental rotation policy after Africa and South America got their turns.
Still, the northern Americas are exceeding expectations..
“I think the report on CONCACAF at this World Cup has been absolutely tremendous,” Webb said. “I predicted two (in the last-16) and I was hoping that at least one team would get to the quarterfinals.”
Even that prediction seemed optimistic after Mexico struggled in qualifying last year, and the Americans and Costa Ricans landed in the two toughest groups.
Costa Rica has been a crowd-pleaser deservedly beating former champions Italy and Uruguay. The U.S. was within 30 seconds of beating and eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal before the FIFA player of the year helped create a stunning equalizer in a 2-2 draw.
Webb acknowledges CONCACAF has been fighting for respect in world soccer. It had its financial and political problems aired in public after longtime leaders Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner left following a FIFA election scandal in the Caribbean in 2011.
“Definitely, I think we have been overlooked,” Webb said. “At the end of the day, the performance speaks volumes.”
