The 46th edition of the Copa America commences on June 15th (CET) and will be staged in five cities across Brazil with the final on July 7th.
The 46th edition of the CONMEBOL's Copa America kicks-off this Saturday (June 15th CET) with host nation Brazil facing Bolivia in Sao Paolo. The tournament will be staged in the cities of Sao Paolo, Salvador de Bahia, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro with the final taking place on July 7 at the iconic Estadio do Maracana in Rio.
Groups
12 teams will participate in the competition with ten hailing from South America along with World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar and Japan invited as 'guests'.
Group A: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela
Group B: Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar
Group C: Ecuador, Japan, Uruguay and Chile
8 sides will progress to the quarter-final stage with the top two sides from each group being joined by two of the best third-placed sides.
Copa America 2019 schedule
Full fixture in Group stage
Group A Fixtures
Group B Fixtures
Group C Fixtures
Must-see days and matches
0:00 June 16, Argentina vs Colombia, Group B (CET)
An excellent clash to light up the first Sunday of the Copa. Ever since Colombia's astonishing 5-0 win in Buenos Aires back in 1993, this has been one of South America's most entertaining matchups. The added spice comes from the fact that the pair will be co-hosting next year's Copa and are engaged in a tug-of-war to decide which country will have the biggest knockout games, including the final.
Argentina, of course, have won two World Cups, but of the South American nations that have never won the World Cup, Colombia are probably the most likely to do so. This, then, in Salvador's excellent Fonte Nova stadium, is a meeting of heavyweights.
1:00 June 18, Chile vs Japan, Group C (CET)
Chile go into this game as reigning champions after finally getting their hands on the trophy in 2015 and winning again in New Jersey a year later. It is harsh on a team that is rebuilding, but the pressure is on them. The class of 2019 have a lot to live up to.
Equally, it will be intriguing to see how Japan perform. Back in 1999, in their previous Copa adventure, they were novices. They have since played the past six World Cups and should arrive in Brazil with no trace of an inferiority complex. Oh, and they'll have no lack of support, either; they begin their campaign in the city with the world's largest number of Japanese immigrants.
2:30 June 19, Brazil vs Venezuela, Group A (CET)
Merely making up the numbers as recently as 20 years ago, Venezuela are now a serious force and underlined their progress with a convincing win over Argentina in Madrid. They have beaten Brazil in a friendly and held them to draws in competition, but at the senior level, they have never won a match against Brazil with points at stake. Convinced that the current side will take them to their first World Cup, they are now aiming high.
Brazil, meanwhile, will be under pressure. Can the Venezuelans take advantage? In one corner, the five-time world champions; in the other, the team with no tradition. It will be fascinating to see whether the outsiders have a shot.
Favourites
Host nation Brazil are favourites to lift the trophy despite the absence of star player Neymar Jr after the striker sustained an ankle injury in last week's warm-up match against Qatar.
Second favourites Argentina will inevitably look to Lionel Messi with changes for the Barcelona striker now at a premium for the Rosario born player who turns 32 on June 24th.
Uruguay complete the podium for fancied sides with the bookmakers and the Charrúa strike-force possess one of the most lethal attacking prowess in the tournament with Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Mani Gomez and Girona's Stuani.