“FIFA has an obligation to respect the memory”

The plot is the inauguration of House of Conmebolcompletely Downtown of Dohawhere the great idols of South American football are remembered, highlights Diego Maradona Y skinwith individual monuments, life-size, with pathways World Cups in your hands. The dream tree of South American Soccer symbolizes Believing Big, the slogan of CONMEBOL.

Members of South American Football Confederationthe president of UEFA, Alexander CeferinQatari football authorities, among others.

in one hand with MD, Dominguez He referred, among other topics, to the joint candidacy of Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay, for the 2030 World Cup, which they also want to access Spain, Portugal and Ukraine.

In May 2023, candidacies must be presented and by the end of 2024, the FIFA 2030 headquarters will be selected.

What is America’s appeal to host the 2030 World Cup?

More than attractive, for us it is a call to FIFA authorities, to install the concept that one, after 100 years, has to do something different. It has to go back to the source. The memory of the pioneers must be honored. FIFA is what it is today, thanks to what started 100 years ago, in South America in general, and Uruguay in particular (1930 World Cup). Now, with the joint candidacy, we have a chance to believe big, and we have a chance to bring home the Cup.

Gianni Infantino (president of FIFA) said that Europe should apologize for the next 3000 years. In this framework, could not Europe give up its claim to host in 2030, and postpone it to 2034?

Let’s see… I think there will be many World Cups. But 2030 is special, because it is 100 years old. And I still believe that it is FIFA’s responsibility to present the project of how to celebrate the centenary. We are preparing ourselves and we are open, and we believe that we must honor the memory and return to our roots, because it all started in Montevideo. When it was played with a leather ball, with a boat trip, they never imagined what the World Cup would be like today. It cannot go unnoticed. Conmebol believes that FIFA has an obligation to honor that memory.

Have you discussed a possible agreement with Ceferin (UEFA president) for the 2030 World Cup to be held in South America and 2034 in Europe?

Ceferin and I are friends, and we are also allies. CONMEBOL and UEFA have a union, including a common office in London. I think it’s legitimate that Portugal and Spain are considering hosting it, just like any other country would. But I still believe that there will be time for other countries to organize a World Cup. 2030 is unique. It has been 100 years and it seems only fair to me that the party returns home.

Two iconic South American and world soccer players such as Pelé and Maradona are remembered in this Conmebol House in Doha. But they have forgotten the only South American soccer player who is Captain and World Champion Three times, like the Uruguayan José Nasazzi.

You have to be careful with these things. We are here to honor the memory of all of them, because they made football history. We should thank them. Certainly this neighborhood (where Casa Conmebol is located in Doha), mimics the conditions in which soccer was developed in South America. In the pastures, in the neighborhoods, in the streets, in any place where you can play. And that’s how we get exceptional players.