The Gold Cup, the equivalent of our Euro for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, started this week in the United States and Canada. Two French departments, Guadeloupe and Martinique, participate in this international competition.
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It is a flagship football competition for North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The Gold Cup kicked off on Monday June 26 in the United States and Canada. We find there the big nations like Mexico, Costa Rica or Jamaica but also Guadeloupe and Martinique who managed to qualify for this event.
The International Football Federation (FIFA) recognizes only three legal representatives for France: the national team but also Tahiti and New Caledonia because of their special status. However, in the eyes of CONCACAF, which manages football in North America and the Caribbean, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guyana can also take part in competitions organized in the region.
“We have enormous potential in Guadeloupe in terms of our young people in sport“, estimates Jocelyn Angloma, the coach of the Gwada Boys, the nickname of the players of Guadeloupe. The Gold Cup would thus make it possible to “continue to build the infrastructure that will allow us to progress“, continues the coach.
Leave the players free to continue the development
For the selections, the problem remains to find players: impossible to select a French international from the island unless he has not worn the blue jersey for five years. It is also necessary that the clubs where they evolve agree to release them. Far from being automatic, regrets Marc Collat, the Martinican coach: “my wish is that the clubs, where there are professional players, particularly in France and in Europe, participate with us in the development of Martinican football by leaving free the footballers who could join this team.“
The Gold Cup remains a chance for these islands. In 2007, Guadeloupe reached the semi-finals there. On the night of Monday to Tuesday, June 27, Martinique won against El Salvador 2-1 for its entry into the competition.