Football

Why are Japan and Qatar in the Copa America 2019 competition?


Qatar and Japan both remain in with a chance of qualifying for the Copa America quarter-finals.

The Qataris sit above Argentina going into their final game against Lionel Messi and co, while Japan were held to a controversial draw with Uruguay last time out after a series of erratic VAR decisions.

 Japan will be looking for Copa America glory this summer

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Japan will be looking for Copa America glory this summerCredit: EPA

Why are Qatar and Japan playing in the Copa America?

As the South American football federation (Conmebol) only has ten members, additional invitees are required to create a workable tournament structure.

Initially, six extra teams – three from North America and three from Asia – were set to be invited in order to create a 16-team tournament.

This was the format in 2016, when six teams were invited from North America to make four groups of four.

But instead, in May 2018, Conmebol decided the tournament should follow the structure of all other competitions since 1993 and have 12 teams, with Qatar and Japan those invited.

Generally North American teams have previously been invited, but they are participating in the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer, so would only be able to send reserve squads to the Copa America.

Did Qatar and Japan qualify through the Asian Cup?

No. Qatar beat Japan 3-1 in the 2019 Asian Cup final, but it is a complete coincidence that they also happen to have been invited to the Copa America.

Who will Qatar and Japan play?

Qatar face the perfect preparation for the 2022 World Cup with a daunting match against Lionel Messi and Argentina.

They also take on Colombia and Paraguay in Group B.

Japan have been drawn in Group C alongside Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador.

Has either team played in the Copa America before?

Japan have played in one previous Copa America, appearing at the 1999 tournament in Paraguay.

In that competition they finished bottom of a group containing Peru, Paraguay and Bolivia as they picked up just one point – a 1-1 draw with the Bolivians.

Qatar have never played in the Copa America before and will be using the competition to get used to a higher standard of football ahead of the 2022 World Cup, which will be hosted in their country.

In 2015, Mexico and Jamaica were the two teams invited to participate in the Copa America.

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