The Pan American Sports Organization expanded the number of participants from 8 to 12 and set the age limit to the Under-20 level. However, CONMEBOL, representing the South American nations, only accepted to play with Under-17 teams (qualified through the 2007 South American Under-17 Football Championship), since Under-20 teams had to participate in the U-20 World Cup at the same time. The United States national soccer team accepted to play with its Under-18 team. Finally, Peru declined to play because the U-17 team preferred to play friendlies in Asia in preparation for the U-17 World Cup, so Bolivia took its place. The participating nations were: