Qatar coach wants to play in Copa America
AFP
AFP, DOHA: Qatars national team coach Felix Sanchez said Wednesday he would welcome the chance for the 2022 World Cup hosts playing in next years Copa America in Brazil.
Amid growing speculation that wealthy Middle Eastern emirate will be invited to take part in the South American tournament, Sanchez said the possibility of playing against some of the worlds best teams was very exciting.
I think if this will be the case, it will be a great experience to face the top international teams in the world, Sanchez told AFP on the sidelines of a cup draw ceremony in Doha.
He added: It will be good for them to face these types of games, thats what they are going to face in 2022.
According to South American media reports, Qatar is among a number of nations invited to take part in the 2019 Copa America next June and July.
China, Japan, Mexico and two other countries could also join South American giants including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, to push tournament numbers up to 16.
South American governing body CONMEBOL announced last month that three teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in which Qatar plays, will be invited along with three other nations from either the rest of the Americas or the Caribbean.
Eight different non-South American countries have been invited to play in previous Copa Americas.
Officials in the Gulf are remaining characteristically tight-lipped, claiming they are waiting for an official invitation before making any announcement.
Earlier this week, Ivan Bravo, the director of the Qatari government-funded sports scouting and training centre Aspire Academy, was forced to clarify statements he made apparently suggesting the 2022 hosts would definitely take part.
