What Happened to South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL)?

The South American Football Confederation, or CONMEBOL, was founded on July 9, 1916, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, making it the oldest continental football confederation in the world. Its establishment coincided with the first edition of the Campeonato Sudamericano de Fútbol, now known as the Copa América. The confederation, headquartered in Luque, Paraguay, comprises 10 member associations and is responsible for organizing the continent's major international tournaments, including the Copa América, Copa Libertadores, and Copa Sudamericana.

CONMEBOL faced its most significant crisis with the 2015 FIFA corruption scandal, which implicated several high-ranking officials, including two former CONMEBOL presidents, in bribery, racketeering, and money laundering schemes. This scandal exposed widespread corruption related to broadcasting rights and led to a profound institutional crisis. In response, CONMEBOL, under the new leadership of Alejandro Domínguez, who took office in January 2016, embarked on a comprehensive reform agenda. This included implementing anti-corruption measures, publishing salaries of its president and executive council members, and increasing transparency in its financial operations.

Since these reforms, CONMEBOL has worked to restore its image and strengthen its financial position. In March 2025, the confederation extended its commercial, sponsorship, and media rights partnership with IMG through to 2030, reporting significant revenue gains. The organization has also continued to innovate its competitions. The Copa América 2024 was co-organized with Concacaf and held in the United States, with Argentina winning their 16th title.

As of 2026, CONMEBOL remains a pivotal force in global football. Alejandro Domínguez was unanimously re-elected as president in June 2025, securing his position until 2031. The Copa Libertadores 2026 and Copa Sudamericana 2026 are currently underway, showcasing top South American club talent. In a significant development, President Domínguez publicly backed a proposal in July 2026 to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, particularly as Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay are set to host opening matches for the centenary tournament. Furthermore, in late July and early August 2026, CONMEBOL requested additional information and clarification from FIFA regarding its controversial plan to create a commercial company open to private investment for World Cup shares, emphasizing that football's essence must always take precedence.

However, the confederation also faced a new internal ethics complaint in May 2026, alleging that President Domínguez received millions from funds recovered after the 2015 FIFA corruption investigation, a claim reported by The New York Times. This indicates ongoing scrutiny and the need for continued vigilance in governance. Discussions are also ongoing for the Copa América 2028, with Ecuador, Argentina, and potentially the USA/Mexico being considered as hosts. The CONMEBOL Women's Copa América 2026 is also a possibility, with Brazil expressing interest in hosting.