Colombia and Argentina were originally supposed to co-host South America’s flagship international football tournament, which was rescheduled to this year from 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Colombia was stripped of the hosting rights on May 20 as a result of political unrest in the country while a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in Argentina left the South American Football Confederation(CONMEBOL) considering their options on Sunday, with the 10-team tournament set to run from June 13 to July 10.
Colombians had risen against the ruling government in recent months as a result of the introduction of controversial taxes, poor wages and a lack of opportunities for young people in the county.
Most Argentines had already opined that it would be unwise to host the Copa America in the country in the current circumstances.
Brazil hosted and won the Copa America in 2019 and they have again become the beneficiaries of Colombia and Argentina’s inability to host the tournament.
An official statement reads: "The CONMEBOL Copa America 2021 will be played in Brazil! Tournament start and end dates are confirmed.
"The venues and the fixture list will be informed by CONMEBOL in the next few hours.
"The oldest national team tournament in the world will thrill the entire continent!"
