confederation

The last edition of the tournament in 2023 was contested between seven teams from six confederations, with Manchester City winning the trophy.

“The document shows Brazil has fulfilled with excellency all the rigid demands of the bidding process,” Brazilian soccer confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said.

The sport’s six regional confederations promised to clean up their acts, too.

Three other teams will qualify in the U-23 Asian Cup, which begins next month, with one more qualifier coming from an Asian-African confederation playoff.

And with a spot in the confederation’s title game at stake, both teams — as well as the sport — deserved better.