 |
| Getty Images |
Anticipation is mounting for the 2016 Copa America Centenario after the Official Draw was conducted in New York City on Sunday, where there was little good news for the hosts.
The June tournament, which pits the ten nations of South America against six participants from CONCACAF, will be held in ten USA cities making it the first Copa America to take place outside the South American continent.
And the hosts will have their work cut out after being drawn in Group A alongside 2014 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finalists Colombia and Costa Rica, as well as perennial South American challengerParaguay.
Group D is perhaps equally fascinating with 2014 World Cup runners-up Argentina pitted alongside 2015 Copa America winners Chile, plus Panama and Bolivia.
Group B sees Brazil drawn ith Ecuador, Haiti and Peru, while Group C includes Mexico, Uruguay,Jamaica and Venezuela.
Traditionally the South American Cup of Nations, the 2016 Copa America is the longest-running international football tournament in the world. And its most recent instalment has morphed into a pan-American event in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Copa America, played in 1916 in Argentina.
The Draw was presided over by a host of Conmebol and CONCACAF luminaries, like former FIFA World Cup winner Mario Kempes of Argentina, Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama, former Mexicogoalkeeper Jorge Campos and former USA defender Alexi Lalas.
The tournament opens on 3 June with the final to take place on 26 June in New Jersey.
Group A
USA
Colombia
Costa Rica
Paraguay
USA
Colombia
Costa Rica
Paraguay