What will the postponement change?

Like the next Euro, the 47th Copa America in history will not take place this year but next, due to the coronavirus epidemic. A 2021 edition which will take place in two different countries (Argentina and Colombia), but with some modifications. Particularly with regard to the guests, Qatar and Australia. Because next year, these two countries will compete in the qualifications for the 2022 World Cup.

Un report “devastating” for the Australian coach. “All the players were very enthusiastic. I had the chance to play in South America and it was an incredible experience, recalls Graham Arnold, quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald. And I know CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) still wants us to come, and that we have to make a decision. But my main priority remains qualifying for the World Cup. We have to be ready for these qualifications, and we still have four games to play in the first round.”

Matches against Nepal, Kuwait, Taiwan and Jordan which were due to take place from the end of March, but which may not be played until the fall. Which, in the event of qualification – probable – of the Socceroos, would therefore shift their matches of the second round to next year, and would therefore prevent their coming to South America. To replace these two countries, one could have imagined that Mexico or Jamaica would once again be invited, but, there too, the teams of the CONCACAF (Confederation of football of North America, Central America and the Caribbean) will have matches to play, on behalf of the Gold Cup.

As for the players, if this postponement will benefit those who are currently injured, like the Uruguayan Luis Suarez, operated on his right knee at the start of the year, his compatriot Diego Godin (35 years old in 2021) will perhaps accuse plus the weight of years, like the Brazilian captain of PSG Thiago Silva, who will turn 36 next year, or the Colombian Radamel Falcao (35). Lionel Messi will have 34, but given the current level of the six-time Ballon d’Or, who dreams of making Argentina triumph at the Copa America after three defeats in the final (2007, 2015 and 2016), it should pass…

Due to the global evolution of the Coronavirus and with the aim of safeguarding the health of South American football, CONMEBOL postpones the celebration of the 47th edition of @CopaAmerica to the dates from June 11 to July 11, 2021

https://t.co/Ttn3o0gj4Y pic.twitter.com/gykkpVl4cw

— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) March 17, 2020

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