Copa America: Why are Japan and Qatar playing? Has Lionel Messi ever won it?
The Copa America kicks off this week when hosts Brazil take on Bolivia. Here, RT Sport brings you all you need to know about the South American football extravaganza – including why Japan and Qatar are taking part.
WHEN DOES IT START?
Hosts Brazil start proceedings against Bolivia in their Group A match at Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo (commonly known as Estadio do Morumbi) in Sao Paulo on Friday, June 14.
That game is followed by Venezuela versus Peru in the same group at Arena do Gremio.
HOW MANY TEAMS ARE PLAYING?
Twelve teams from two confederations – the South American CONMEBOL and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) – are taking part.
The 12 teams have been divided into three groups:
- Group A: Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela
- Group B: Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Qatar
- Group C: Chile, Ecuador, Japan, Uruguay
The full fixtures list for the 26 matches can be found on the CONMEBOL website.
The winners and runners-up from each group automatically advance to the knockout stage, as do the two best-placed teams who finish third.
Matches will be played in five cities: Salvador (Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova), Rio de Janiero (Estadio do Maracana), Sao Paulo (Estadio do Morumbi, Arena Corinthians), Belo Horizonte (Estadio Mineirao) and Porto Alegre (Arena do Gremio).
The tournament is returning to Brazil for the first time in 30 years, and on every previous occasion the Samba Boys have won the tournament (1989, 1949, 1922, 1919).
WHY ARE JAPAN AND QATAR PLAYING?
AFC nations Japan and Qatar are playing as guests at the tournament. They have been invited to fill spots in the tournament to ensure there are enough teams to allow a 12-team tournament.
Previously, CONMEBOL has invited nations from outside the confederation (which has 10 countries), including in 2016 when they invited teams from Asia and North America to make up a 16-team centenary edition of the event.
This time, CONMEBOL has decided to revert to the 12-team version in place since 1993, and invited Japan and World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar – both finalists in the most recent AFC Asian Cup.
WHO ARE THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS?
This will be the 46th edition of the Copa America, and the tournament has been won on the past two occasions by Chile, who have beaten Argentina on penalties both times.
Uruguay lead the way on overall titles with 15, followed by Argentina on 14 and Brazil on eight.
The last time Argentina won the competition was back in 1993 in Ecuador, while Uruguay last triumphed in 2011.
WHO ARE THE FAVORITES?
Hosts Brazil are seen as the favorites to win this year’s competition, followed by Argentina and then Uruguay.
Outside those three, Colombia and reigning champions Chile will be backed.
HAS MESSI EVER WON THE COPA AMERICA?
Argentine skipper Lionel Messi will lead his team at this year’s tournament after taking a break from international football following the World Cup in Russia last summer.
Messi has suffered a history of pain at the Copa America, having been on the losing side in three finals – 2007, 2015, and 2016.
In the last of those, Messi missed a penalty as Chile won the shootout following a goalless 120 minutes of football at MetLife Stadium in New York.
Afterwards, the Barcelona ace quit the international game, saying "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion." He later reversed the decision.
IS NEYMAR PLAYING?
Brazilian star Neymar has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering an ankle ligament injury in a warm-up game against Qatar.
Chelsea midfielder Willian was called up by manager Tite to replace the PSG striker.
