History of CONMEBOL in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 26, 2025

CONMEBOL (CSF) is the governing body of football in South America, one of FIFA's six confederations and the oldest. Based in Luque, Paraguay, it organizes and governs major South American international football tournaments. It comprises 10 member football associations, the fewest of all FIFA confederations.

July 1916: Foundation of CONMEBOL

On July 9, 1916, CONMEBOL was founded in Buenos Aires under the initiative of Uruguayan Héctor Rivadavia Gómez and approved by the football associations of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. This occurred during the Campeonato Sudamericano de Fútbol, later known as the Copa América, which was held to commemorate the centenary of the Argentine Declaration of Independence.

1916: Inauguration of Copa América

In 1916, the Copa América, initially named "Campeonato Sudamericano de Fútbol", was inaugurated as the main competition for men's national teams in South America.

1960: First Copa Libertadores

In 1960, the Copa Libertadores, a main club competition in South America, was first held.

1988: Beginning of Supercopa Libertadores

In 1988, the Supercopa Libertadores competition began.

1989: Establishment of Recopa Sudamericana

In 1989, the Recopa Sudamericana, an annual match between the Copa Libertadores and Supercopa Libertadores winners (later Copa Sudamericana winners), came into being.

1992: Start of Copa CONMEBOL

In 1992, the Copa CONMEBOL competition started.

1999: Abolishment of Copa CONMEBOL

In 1999, the Copa CONMEBOL was abolished.

2002: Launch of Copa Sudamericana

In 2002, CONMEBOL launched the Copa Sudamericana as an indirect successor to the Supercopa Libertadores.

2009: First Copa Libertadores Femenina

In 2009, the Copa Libertadores Femenina for club teams was first held.

May 2015: Arrest of CONMEBOL leaders in Zürich

On May 27, 2015, several CONMEBOL leaders, including former presidents Eugenio Figueredo and Nicolás Léoz, were arrested in Zürich, Switzerland, by Swiss police. The U.S. Department of Justice indicted them on charges of corruption, money laundering, and racketeering.

December 2015: Arrest of Juan Ángel Napout

On December 3, 2015, Juan Ángel Napout, the president of CONMEBOL, was arrested in a raid in Switzerland as part of the U.S. Justice Department's bribery case involving FIFA.

December 2015: Arrest of CONMEBOL President Juan Ángel Napout

On December 3, 2015, the CONMEBOL President Juan Ángel Napout was arrested as part of the ongoing investigations into corruption within FIFA and CONMEBOL.

January 2016: Election of Alejandro Domínguez as president

In January 2016, specifically on January 26, Alejandro Domínguez from Paraguay was elected as the president of CONMEBOL, succeeding interim president Wilmar Valdez.