The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, which governs the region is set to expand soon with four new full members.
With the aim of fully integrating the Caribbean region culturally and economically through football, FIFA vice president and CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb hosted a meeting with representatives from the French Caribbean associations, government authorities and the French Football Federation in Fort de France, Martinique last week.
Representatives from the football leagues of Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Martin and French Guyana reinforced their interest to becoming full members of the confederation, with all rights and privileges, which would allow them to participate in official regional and international competitions.
Applications for membership will be submitted to the CONCACAF executive committee in the near future and, if approved, will be submitted to the CONCACAF congress in Panama City on 19 April for ratification.
Negotiations regarding the islands’ full integration into CONCACAF started last May at the CONCACAF congress in Budapest, Hungary when Webb was first elected. “We are very pleased with the passion, commitment and resilience that have been expressed by the four islands and we intend to welcome them into our football family,” Webb said.
“In the best interest of the game and of developing the region, these countries can rest assured that they have CONCACAF’s full support.
“The complete integration into CONCACAF would signify great recognition of our territories and a contribution toward the growth of our competitions.”
“You have our determination and commitment that, through football, we will try to extend this fraternity as far as we can,” said Serge Letchimy, president of the Regional Council of Martinique.