5 things to know about the 2019 Copa América
Between 14 June and 7 July the 46th edition of the Copa América will take place in Brazil. The competition includes 10 South American nations and two guest participants and will feature some of the best national teams in football. Who will be crowned champions? For that we will have to wait for the final in Rio de Janeiro but before we can take a look at what makes the tournament so attractive.
1. Which teams will be taking part in the Copa América?
The ten nations, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile, which form the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL) plus Japan and Qatar. The last two have been invited by CONMEBOL to take part in the tournament, a tradition which goes back to 1993.
2. Luis Suárez’s Uruguay most successful nation
The ‘celeste’ are the team with most wins in the Copa América having lifted the trophy a record 15 times. The most recent victory came in 2011 with Luis Suárez opening the scoring in a 3-0 win over a Paraguay side coached by former Barça boss Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
3. The final in the Maracanã Stadium
The final on 7 July will be played in the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janiero. The opening fixture of the tournament, Brazil v Bolivia, will be played on 14 June in the Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo.
4. Barça players involved
Five blaugranes are representing their countries at the tournament: Leo Messi (Argentina), Philippe Coutinho, Arthur (Brazil), Luis Suárez (Uruguay) and Arturo Vidal (Chile).
5. Barça v Barça
There is a possible clash between blaugranes in Group C as Luis Suárez’s Uruguay face Arturo Vidal’s Chile.