China to host Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Thailand at 2019 China Cup

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China will play defending champions Uruguay in their opening 2019 China Cup game in late March in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

It will be the first game in charge for whoever the Chinese Football Association appoints to succeed Marcello Lippi as national head coach. The World Cup-winning Italian stepped down as China boss following his team's exit from the Asian Cup quarter-finals at the hands of Iran last month.

Edinson Cavani (L) and Gareth Bale vie for the ball during the China Cup final on March 26, 2018. /VCG Photo

The four-match tournament will also feature Asian rivals Uzbekistan and Thailand, with the Chinese using the showpiece event as preparation for their Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will begin in September.

China Cup was first held in 2017, with Chile winning the title and China overcoming Croatia on penalties to seal third-place.

Uruguay beat Wales to win the 2018 China Cup in Nanning on March 26, 2018. /VCG Photo

Last year, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani sparkled as Uruguay lifted the trophy with a 1-0 victory over Wales, while China finished fourth after a 4-1 loss to the Czech Republic.