International Football Cups

In order to determine which member teams will be able to play at the FIFA Championship, international football cups are being held within the different member confederations. The International Football Cups from different confederations serves as the ultimate qualifying tournament in which the champion will compete with other international cup winners to represent the whole confederation. To give you a birds eye view of what these international cups are all about, we feature them below. In addition, an international cup highly contributes to making the game of football doubly exciting. Hence, this section would make a valuable reference for all International Football Cups around the world.

Warm up

Asian Cup

The Asian Cup is organized and presided over by the Asian Football Confederation with the champion automatically qualifying to compete in the FIFA Confederations Cup. It is held every after four years but there was one tournament which was held in 2007 to deviate the schedule from other high profile international sports tournament such as the Summer Olympic Games and European Football Championship which are also held every after four years.

First game of 2007 Asian Cup

African Cup of Nations

Also referred by its acronym as the ANC, this international cup is the main football association competition in Africa. The first competition was held in 1957 and is officially sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (AFC). The emerging champions from the ANC qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup. The strongest nation so far in terms of winnings is Egypt with six recorded Cup championships.

A 3-2 victory over Rwanda in Sunday’s African Nations Cup

CONCACAF Gold Cup

This international football club is governed by CONCACAF and is the main tournament for the men’s national football teams. The CONCACAF Gold Cup had already staged nineteen overall championships, with Mexico as the most successful team holding seven championship winnings. Presently, America has four titles and Costa Rica has three title championships.

The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Finals played in Chicago

Copa America

With the Spanish term meaning American Cup, Copa America is governed by CONMEBOL and is the main tournament for member teams of the South American football confederation.

Their international tournament first started in 1916 and holds the record of being the oldest international tournament surviving the world up to this day. The grand champion for the Copa Cup has the right to compete in the FIFA Confederation Cup, but does not have the obligation to do so.

Landon Donovan is uncertain about going to Copa America

European Championships

The UEFA European Football Championships is the main tournament for men’s national football teams. This international cup is held every after four years since 1960 and was originally called UEFA European Nations Cup. The name was changed into the present UEFA European Football Championship in the year 1968 and championships are often referred by the phrase, “Euro followed by the year”.

2009 European Under 21 Championship