2020 Copa America to kick off in Argentina

RIO DE JANEIRO - The 2020 Copa America will kick off in Argentina on June 12 before ending in Colombia on July 13, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Monday.

The 47th edition of the tournament will mark the first time that it is played in two countries, with 38 games to be divided between Argentina and Colombia.

Each country will stage two quarterfinals and one semifinal, with the final to be played in Colombia.

In a statement, CONMEBOL said the format would "bring South American football closer to its fans".

CONMEBOL announced last month that the 2020 Copa America would be divided into two groups of six teams. The northern group - whose participants will play all of their first-stage matches in Colombia - will feature the host nation, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil and Peru.

Argentina will stage the southern group of Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina Bolivia and Chile. A draw will be held to decide the group allocation for guest nations Australia and Qatar.

Teams in each group will play each other once, with the top four sides from each zone progressing to the quarterfinals.

Colombia have hosted the event just once before, in 2001 - the only time they have been crowned champions.

The 2020 Copa America will be the fourth edition of the world's oldest international continental football tournament in six years. It will revert to a quadrennial cycle from 2020, in line with the European Championship.