The postponement of the 2020 Copa America to 2021 may mean the loss of the two traditional invitees from the last editions, at least the Asians. The coincidence of the Conmebol tournament in June 2021 with the Asian World Cup qualifiers makes it difficult, almost impossible, for Qatar and Australia to participate, who were going to be the participants this year if everything had gone smoothly.
The first to announce this possibility was the coach of the 'socceroos', Graham Arnold: "I know that Conmebol still wants us among their participants, but our priority is qualifying for the World Cup and we have to be prepared because we have not yet played the matches corresponding to this phase. It is going to be a very busy year and it is possible that the World Cup qualifiers coincide with the Copa America," reports AS from Spain.
It should be remembered that Australia has already had its matches against Nepal, Kuwait, Taiwan, and Jordan in the World Cup qualifiers suspended due to the coronavirus. In other words, they have to reschedule four dates, like the rest of the Asian teams, and that practically makes it mandatory to play during the month of June 2021, the planned date for the Copa America.
Not only Asian teams would have problems accepting Conmebol's invitation. The teams from Concacaf would also be in a similar situation, as the Gold Cup belonging to their confederation is also scheduled for the same period of the calendar. In previous editions, teams such as Jamaica or Mexico participated, but their door also seems closed this time, just like with the Asians. (D)