Bolivian president travels to U.S. for Copa America opening match

Bolivian President Evo Morales traveled to the United States on Friday to participate in the inauguration of the Centennial Copa America 2016, giving him an opportunity to meet with the heads of FIFA to discuss a youth world cup in Bolivia.

Before leaving for Santa Clara, California, where the inaugural ceremony and match between the U.S. and Colombia will take place, Morales said that he had intended to formalize the country's request for soccer's world governing body FIFA to hold a world cup.

"We are taking advantage of this international sporting event, the Copa America. We are sure that due to our friendship and trust with the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) and with FIFA, through Infantino, we want to formalize our request. Like I said, the best gift for Bolivia would be to hold a soccer world cup in Bolivia during our bicentennial," said Morales.

The president met with heads of the FBF last week to discuss the project with the purpose of organizing a world soccer tournament, whether it be for teenagers, children or women, a proposal he put forth during FIFA president Infantino's visit to Bolivia in March.

Bolivia's Sports Ministry, through a press release on Friday, said the president made the visit to the U.S. at the invitation of FIFA chief and South American football head.

"Morales is attending this event after being officially invited by the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, and the President of the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), Alejandro Dominguez Wilson-Smith. Along with national soccer leaders, he will also participate in a work agenda in aid of holding a youth or women's soccer world cup to commemorate the bicentenary of Bolivia's foundation in 2025," added the ministry. Endit