Trump's Threats, Greenland's Dreams: Footballers Eye CONCACAF Membership
Greenland's footballers persist in their ambition to travel to the United States, disregarding President Trump's warnings.
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Despite the political chaos surrounding US President Donald Trump's controversial threats of annexing Greenland, its footballers are focusing on a different dream: joining CONCACAF, the North and Central American and Caribbean football association.
Greenland's football team is working tirelessly to become the 42nd member of CONCACAF. National coach Morten Rutkjaer has made his stance clear in an interview with the Danish-German daily newspaper "Flensborg-Avis."
"Sure, I might have an opinion about Trump's takeover fantasies, but let's keep politics out of football, mate," Rutkjaer shared: "My expertise is football, and that's where I stay."
The Road to CONCACAF
Greenland's association, Kalaallit Arsaattartut Kattuffiat (KAK), is hoping to leap over political turmoil and secure membership in CONCACAF. Although meetings with CONCACAF representatives were reportedly called off, Rutkjaer remains optimistic about the chances.
If Greenland were to join CONCACAF, it would bypass a crucial obstacle faced by its attempts to join European governing body UEFA. UEFA requires Greenland to be recognized as an independent state by a majority of the United Nations – a requirement that Greenland doesn't meet currently.
The Dream of Competing in the World Cup
Rutkjaer dreams big for his team: "From day one, my dream has been that Greenland would compete in a World Cup, facing off against other countries," he explained: "Why not? If they meet the standards, they should be allowed to join."
The path to CONCACAF membership isn't straightforward, requiring formal application, recognition, and approval from CONCACAF and, most likely, FIFA. Greenland's football association, as of now, isn't a part of FIFA, CONCACAF, or UEFA.
Nevertheless, Greenland's footballers strive to turn their dreams into reality – ignoring the noise from the political sphere and focusing on the game they love.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
Note:
- Politics play no part in Greenland's quest for CONCACAF membership. Greenland's football association would need to apply, meet membership requirements, and receive approval from both CONCACAF and FIFA, independent of any political events or decisions.
- Greenland faces a hurdle in joining UEFA due to its non-recognition as an independent state by the United Nations. CONCACAF doesn't require such recognition.
- While theoretical annexation does not guarantee CONCACAF membership, it could potentially clear a diplomatic path for the Greenlandic Football Association to be considered, given international politics' complexities.
The Commission, given its current task, might consider proposing a directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as Greenland's focus lies on securing membership in CONCACAF, an achievement that could bypass the obstacle faced in joining UEFA.
Nevertheless, Greenland's footballers, while pursuing their dream of competing in a World Cup, continue to ignore the noise from the political sphere and focus on the game they love, American-football and sports, just like any other football team in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
