Copa América lands in Brazil courtyard

Article posted by Coliseum, June 2^nd, 2021

Image: building.co.uk

Football championship Copa América has been switched from Argentina to Brazil as the COVID-19 situation continues to be grim in South America.

‘NBC Sports’ stated that after being delayed by a year due to the deadly coronavirus which still has many countries around the globe on the edge, the soccer showpiece was due to kick off on June 13^th in Argentina, but South America’s governing body CONMEBOL have announced the tournament will no longer take place there and will instead take place in Brazil.

The 2021 Copa América will be the 47^th edition of the Copa América, the international men’s football championship organized by South America’s football ruling body CONMEBOL. The tournament will take place in Brazil from June 13^th to July 10^th, 2021.

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CONMEBOL Copa América, known until 1975 as the South American Football Championship, is the main men’s football tournament contested among national teams from CONMEBOL. It is the oldest still running international football competition, as well as the third most watched in the world.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) is the continental governing body of football in South America, and it is one of FIFA’s six continental confederations. The oldest continental confederation in the world, its headquarters are located in Luque, Paraguay, near Asunción.

Argentina is presently under lockdown and all soccer games have been called off, so there was little chance it could took place and it is believed the Argentine Government weren’t willing to host it given the current virus situation as the country sets new daily record for COVID-19 deaths and cases.

‘NBC Sports’ further stated that there was the possibility the tournament could be called off entirely, but it will now take place in Brazil over Chile or Paraguay, who both reportedly offered to host at short-notice.

A statement sent out by CONMEBOL stated, “The 2021 Copa America will be played in Brazil. Tournament start and end dates are confirmed. The venues and the fixture will be informed by CONMEBOL in the next few hours. The oldest national team tournament in the world will make the whole continent vibrate! Brazil will host CONMEBOL 2021. The best soccer in the world will bring joy and passion to millions of South Americans. CONMEBOL thanks the President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro and his team, as well as the Brazilian Football Confederation for opening the doors of that country to what is today the safest sporting event in the world. South America will shine in Brazil with all its stars!”

In the running

The Copa América is kind of jinxed. Earlier, Colombia and Argentina were scheduled to co-host the soccer showpiece. However, not very long back Colombia was stripped of its hosting rights due to ongoing protests against the Government. And now the grim virus situation in Argentina has forced the football championship to be moved to Brazil.

With Argentina out as hosts too, it was believed that as well as Chile and Paraguay, even the USA had offered to host the fixture.

In fact, plans to host the entire tournament in the United States were gaining momentum.

Is Brazil the right choice?

Experts stated that moving the soccer spectacle to Brazil is not a wise move at all as the COVID-19 situation in Brazil is nothing to write home about. Coronavirus cases in Brazil remain extremely high and over 1,800 people per day are dying, on an average, according to the latest statistics. New cases are around 70,000 per day.

A clear picture has still not emerged as to whether fans will be able to grace the matchups. Stadia where the games will be held will be confirmed in the coming days.

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