Cartagena (Colombia) (AFP)
Australia, the guest country of the Copa America 2020 (12 June-12 July), will play in the southern group, that of Argentina, and Qatar, another guest, in the northern group with Brazil and Colombia, according to the draw held on Tuesday.
Argentina's Lionel Messi will open the ball against Chile on June 12 at the Monumental de Buenos Aires, according to the draw held in the Colombian city of Cartagena.
His neighbor Barranquilla will be the host on July 12th of the final of this edition disputed for the first time in two countries since, besides four cities of Colombia (Cali, Bogota, Medellin, Barranquilla), five Argentine cities will host matches (Buenos Aires , Cordoba, Mendoza, La Plata, San Juan).
And for this edition, finished the three groups of four: the first phase of this Copa will be played as two zones.
That of the North will include Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Qatar. That of the South will bring together Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia and Australia.
Another novelty, this Copa America will be played just one year after the last, won by Brazil, since the Confederation of South American football (Conmebol) wished that the tournament takes place the same year as the Euro from 2020.
This calendar harmonization aims to facilitate the availability of the many South American players playing in Europe and satisfy the clubs.
The top four teams in each zone will advance to the quarterfinals.
To succeed the great Brazilian rival, Argentina, will be one of the favorites. The Albiceleste has carried the trophy 14 times, but never his star Lionel Messi had this honor.
Three finals lost in 2007, 2015 and 2016: will 2020 finally be the coronation for "la Pulga", which won Monday its sixth Ballon d'Or? It could be, at 33 years old next June, its ultimate Copa.
The last defeat in the final in 2016 led to the announcement of his international retirement, a decision he finally returned to. Eliminated in the semifinals in 2019 by Brazil, Argentina will rely this time, besides Messi, on Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martinez.
© 2019 AFP