Greenland has applied to become a member of Concacaf, the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, the Football Association of Greenland said on Tuesday.

Greenland would be the 42nd member of the continental association if approved.

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"Our application for membership in Concacaf marks a significant step forward for our ambitions to compete at a higher level," Greenland national football team manager Morten Rutkjaer said in a statement.

"We have worked hard to get here and I am convinced that that this will inspire our players and develop our soccer culture."

Greenland's football governing body said it had begun a strategic collaboration with the Icelandic football union to bolster the program's international ambitions and to help run home games.

The application to Concacaf was formally submitted on May 13.

Home to some 56,000 people, Greenland would surpass some existing Concacaf nations in population, including Anguilla and Montserrat.

"Through our connections among the existing member countries in Concacaf, we will expand our knowledge and network, so that we know what to prepare for with all national teams and club teams," said Rutkjaer.

On the men's side, Concacaf has long been dominated by the United States men's national team and Mexico, who will co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada.

Concacaf held its first ever women's Gold Cup earlier this year, with the U.S. emerging victorious.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.