The Copa América is just 100 days from kicking off, as the men’s national football teams of CONMEBOL will face off to determine the continental champion. It is the oldest international continental football competition.
The current tournament format involves 12 teams competing at venues in a host nation over a period of about a month. This year, Chile hosts the tournament from June 11th to July 4th. The confederation has only 10 members; so national teams from other FIFA confederations are invited to fill the other two places. This year, Mexico and newcomer, Jamaica, have been invited to participate.
Host nation Chile gets the competition underway when they face Ecuador at Estadio Nacional in Santiago, with the same venue hosting the final on July 4th. A total of 18 group matches will be played before the knockout stage, which begins on June 24. Each team participating in Copa América is guaranteed play in at least 3 matches. There are a total of 26 matches being played in a total of nine stadiums in eight cities.
According to international ticket reseller Ticketbis, fans from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and the United Kingdom purchased the most tickets for this event. The fans that have the most faith in their team playing in the final game are people from Argentina, as they are the main buyers for tickets for the final.
In 43 Copa América tournaments, seven national teams have won the title. Uruguay is the defending champion and the most successful team in the tournament, having won it 15 times. Some world class talent in the tournament this year includes, but is not limited to, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Alexis Sanchez, James Rodriguez and Edinson Cavani.
The Copa América is one of the most prestigious and widely-viewed sporting events in the world. The highest finishing member of CONMEBOL has the right to participate in the next edition of the FIFA Confederations Cup, but is not obligated to do so.
