Delegates from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) signed an agreement of understanding in Washington D.C. to promote COVID-19 vaccination and other public health initiatives.

The memorandum was signed by Alejando Domínguez, the president of the soccer organization in the region, and Loyce Pace, the Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs for Health and Human Services.

For his part, the president of CONMEBOL stated: "Knowing the massive and transversal reach that our tournaments have, the interest and expectation that CONMEBOL matches generate, we resolved to also become a channel for raising awareness and disseminating information. In this way, the vital exhortation to get vaccinated, the crucial message of trusting in science to defeat the disease, reached millions of people in South America and the world. I am convinced that this agreement will make possible new advances in the promotion of healthy behaviors in the population."

Pace echoed Domínguez's sentiment: "We are confident that with this partnership with CONMEBOL we will be able to increase the number of people vaccinated against COVID-19, while working towards solving the most important public health problems that afflict the region."

CONMEBOL is at a defining moment, as the finals of two of its most important tournaments, the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, are approaching.

On Oct. 1, at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba, two teams former champions of the tournament will go head-to-head. The competitors are Independiente del Valle from Ecuador, winner of the 2019 competition, and San Pablo, which won in 2012 by defeating Tigre.

On Oct. 29, the Copa Libertadores will be played at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Flamengo, finalist in last year's tournament and one of the main contenders for the title due to its star-studded squad, will compete with Athletico Parananese, which comes recharged after beating Palmeiras, the current two-time champion of the competition.