USA to Host 2016 Copa America for First Time

October 25, 2012

The United States, for the first time will host the Copa America in 2016, which has never been staged outside South America in the last 100 years.

South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) officials made the announcement on Wednesday evening, with the competition to combine 10 nations from South America and six from the CONCACAF region. Named the ‘Copa America Centenario’, the 2016 tournament will see the United States and Mexico – along with the four highest placing nations at the 2015 Gold Cup – compete.

The confederation wrote in a statement: “In July of 2016, Conmebol will celebrate its first century. Because of this, with the aim to celebrate it with the pomp it deserves, the association presidents and members of the Executive Committee have decided to hold a tournament with nations throughout the Americas.”

The 2015 Copa America will still go ahead, but will be held in Chile after Brazil withdrew from its duties. Japan and Mexico, meanwhile, have been invited as guests of the tournament.

“Mexico and Japan are two sibling federations and friends of South American football,” CONMEBOL said in an official statement.