Outgoing Mexico Football Federation president Justino Compean said he backs UEFA president Michel Platini, and that Platini has given Compean assurances that the 2016 Copa America Centenario will take place in the United States, despite an ongoing bribery investigation.
"He [Platini] is in favor that it be played. We are working on that and all subjects related to it so that it can be played," Compean told ESPN Deportes after the Gold Cup final. "We are hoping to iron out the details."
Compean, who is a member CONCACAF's executive committee and a former FIFA executive committee member, also said he has met with Platini and that Platini has assured Compean that the 2016 tournament will remain in FIFA's official calendar. Compean also said that CONCACAF will back Platini for FIFA president in the 2015 elections.
The Copa America Centenario tournament was jeopardized when American prosecutors alleged massive bribery in international football, including a scheme linked to a $112.5 million broadcasting deal for the one-off event to celebrate CONMEBOL's 100th birthday.
The 16-nation Centenario is scheduled June 3-26 and would include the 10 South American national teams and six invited teams from CONCACAF, including the U.S. and Mexico.
The 16-team field will be made up of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela from CONMEBOL and Mexico, the United States and Costa Rica from CONCACAF. Three additional CONCACAF teams will also qualify.
The neighboring confederations have been in turmoil since the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed its widening case in May.
"The position of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL is that it should be played," said Compean. "We all want it to be played."
Decio de Maria will be taking over the Mexico federation reins from Compean in August.