The oldest intercontinental football competition will see its centenary edition held in the United States of America in 2016. Chile had won the last edition of the Copa America in their own backyard after they defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a penalty shootout.
The Copa America Centario will be the first Copa America to take place outside South America and will featured an extended playing field of 16 teams rather than the usual 12 from the regular editions.
The teams that have qualified for the Centario edition were the 10 from CONMEBOL (South America) and 6 from CONCACAF (North America).
Argentina face Chile once again
The 16 teams are split into four groups with the finalists from last year’s Copa America squaring off against each other in Group D. Argentina, Chile, Panama and Bolivia make up the four teams in the group with Argentina looking for a measure of revenge against Chile.
Group A sees the hosts of the tournament, the United States take on Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay. Group B sees Brazil face off against Ecuador, Peru and the minnows, Haiti.
The toughest group in the competition would be Group C which sees Mexico, Uruguay, Jamaica and Venezuela battle it out to see who makes it into the next round.
A first in the United States
The tournament would be played across eight venues across the North American country, with the final being played on 26 June 2016. Uruguay are the most successful team in Copa America history with 15 titles to their name while Chile won their first title last year.
The American team has taken part in three previous tournaments and their best finish in the competition was fourth place in 1995. Mexico have been the best performer at the Copa America from the list of invitees with two second placed finishes.
