The 2020 Copa America, the first in history to be organized by two countries, will begin in Argentine territory on June 12, that is, in 346 days, and its title will be defined in Colombia, probably in Barranquilla, the Conmebol announced on Monday in Rio de Janeiro.
In this way, Colombia will host the tournament 19 years after the 2001 edition, which was a milestone for its football history because that year it won its first and only title (1-0) against Mexico in Bogota.
Unlike the current format, which will conclude on July 7 with 26 matches played, the next year's edition will have 38 matches with the same number of participating teams: 10 permanent members of Conmebol and 2 invited teams.
The Qatar national team has been invited again, as happened in this year's Brazil edition, and next year it will be accompanied by the Australian national team.
Each participating team will play at least 5 matches in the host country closest to them.
Each of the organizing countries will have a group stage, called the North Zone and South Zone, two quarterfinal matches, and a semifinal.
The pairings of the zones had already been defined by the Conmebol Council, although the situation of the invited teams will be determined in an upcoming draw.
North Zone: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and one of the invited teams. And South Zone: Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and the other invited team.
Four teams from each zone will qualify.
In the current version of the competition, the 46th edition, the twelve participating teams were grouped into three groups of four teams to play the first stage.
The dates of the calendar and the matches of the 2020 tournament will be announced later, announced the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol).
The tournament will begin on June 12, 2020, and after just over a month of competitions, the title will probably be decided in Barranquilla, as revealed by the mayor of that Colombian city, Antonio Char, a week ago.
EFE