The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and local organising committee for the 2019 Copa América have confirmed that Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã stadium will host the final of next year’s tournament, while Sao Paulo’s Estádio do Morumbi will stage the opening game.
Organisers have determined the division of 26 matches for the national team tournament, which will be hosted in Brazil for the fifth time from June 14 to July 7 next year. Six stadia across five cities will host games.
Along with the final, the Maracanã (pictured) will stage one quarter final and three group games. The Morumbí will stage two other group games, with Sao Paulo being the only city to have two host stadia. Arena Corinthians will stage the third-place play-off, one quarter final and a group game.
Arena Corinthians, home of Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A team Corinthians, is a late addition to the tournament having replaced Allianz Parque, home of Palmeiras. CONMEBOL last month said it had replaced Allianz Parque with Arena Corinthians due to “commercial” issues involving the former.
Elsewhere, Belo Horizonte’s Mineirão stadium will host five matches in total, comprising one semi-final and four group games. The other semi-final will be held at Porto Alegre’s Arena do Grêmio, along with one quarter final and three group games.
Salvador’s Arena Fonte Nova will stage one quarter final and four group games. Brazil will be seeking to win the tournament for the first time since 2007. Chile has won the last two editions.
Along with CONMEBOL’s 10 member nations, Japan and Qatar will compete as guest teams. CONMEBOL has invited guest nations to compete in the Copa America since 1993, with Japan having played at the 1999 event.
Next year will mark Qatar’s debut at the Copa America, with the tournament three years before the Gulf nation hosts the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Image: Visit Rio
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