Copa America (13/06-10/07/2021): CONMEBOL rules out Argentina and awards the tournament to Brazil

"The Copa America 2021 will be played in Brazil! The start (13/06) and end dates (10/07/2021) of the tournament have been confirmed. The oldest national team tournament in the world will thrill the entire continent," said the South American Confederation via Twitter on 31/05/2021.

Just 13 days before the opening match, CONMEBOL announced a few hours earlier that its continental competition would not be held in Argentina after all: "CONMEBOL informs that in view of the current circumstances it has decided to suspend the organisation of the Copa America in Argentina. CONMEBOL is evaluating the offer of other countries that showed interest in hosting the continental tournament," said the body on Twitter at 03:47 CET (21:47 on Sunday 30/05/2021 in Asuncion, Paraguay, CONMEBOL headquarters).

The "current circumstances" referred to by the South American body concern the Covid-19 pandemic: Argentina is facing a new wave of cases with more than 41,000 people infected on 27/05/2021 alone.

CONMEBOL had already ruled out Colombia, which was due to host 15 matches, including the final, and had…