Copa America to go ahead with 10 teams, say CONMEBOL

Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019, Brazil's Dani Alves celebrates winning the Copa America with the trophy [REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino]

This year’s Copa America will go ahead with only 10 teams, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Monday, as it abandoned plans to replace Australia and Qatar, the two sides who withdrew due to fixture congestion.

“As is traditional, CONMEBOL invited teams from other confederations,” the body said in a statement. “However, the suspended matches and delays brought about by the pandemic that affected world football impeded other nations from participating.”