2020 Copa America: Colombia & Argentina chosen to co-host event
Updated 16:30, 17-Apr-2019
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Now we head to South America because there are some major changes for the 2020 Copa America. First, officials moved it from an odd-numbered year to an even-numbered one and now, they say it will be held in TWO countries. As CGTN's Michelle Begue reports, many are not happy with the decision.
For the first time ever, South America's football championship, Copa America, will be hosted by two countries. The 2020 tournament will be held in Argentina and Colombia. The organizers – the South American Football Confederation, or CONMEBOL, said the 10 South American teams and two guests will be split into two groups of six – to play in each host country.
SEBASTIAN HEREDIA SPORTS ANALYST "There will also be a change in format, now it will be six teams, and the best four teams from the North and South regions will pass to the next round, and then there will quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, which we still don't know how and where it will be held."
There's already controversy over how the knockouts will be held as some teams would face a six-and-a-half hour flight to commute between opposite ends of the continent for matches. Traveling teams would miss an extra day of rest, or training, and must adapt to changes in altitude. Buenos Aires is almost at sea level. Bogota is more than two-and-a-half thousand meters above it. And the biggest question where will the final be held.
SEBASTIAN HEREDIA SPORTS ANALYST "One of the conditions that Brazil set is that they wouldn't play a final in Bogota, because the high altitude was not an option, so you already start to see a play of strengths within the organization."
Colombia will be paired with Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru, while Argentina with their southern neighbors Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Bolivia. While the CONMEBOL President said this change would make it easier for fans to move geographically, many Colombian fans disagree.
CESAR PARDO FOOTBALL FAN "We are going to miss out on watching certain teams. I think Colombia could have hosted it alone."
JOSE GABRIEL ROASIO FOOTBALL FAN "When we move to quarter-finals and finals, what happens? It affects these countries because of the investment we have made in infrastructure."
MICHELLE BEGUE BOGOTA "This year's Copa America will be played in Brazil. After the 2020 tournament two years from now, the Copa America will be scheduled every four years. Michelle Begue, CGTN, Bogota, Colombia."