Lionel Messi Neymar Copa America trophyGetty/Goal composite

Copa America 2019: Brazil, Argentina & the 12 teams fighting for South American title

Three years after celebrating its centenary in the United States, the Copa America is back in 2019. South America's proud footballing nations go head to head in what is the world's oldest international football tournament, which will this year be held in Brazil.

Brazil had originally been slated for hosting duties in 2015, but swapped that tournament with Chile due to the overlap with the World Cup and the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. The last time the Copa came to the nation was back in 1989, an edition won by the hosts thanks to the lethal combination of Bebeto and Romario up front for the Selecao.

Unlike the Centenary edition, which expanded to 16 teams, the 2019 Copa returns to the 12-side format that has been used since 1993, organised into three groups of four. As well as CONMEBOL's 10 member nations the Asian AFC contributed two participants, with Japan and Qatar entering the fray as guests.

With Thursday's draw we now know who will face whom in the group stage, which will kick off in Sao Paulo's Estadio Morumbi on June 14 with Brazil's clash against Bolivia. With some of the world's greatest players in action and a huge prize on offer, the Copa will doubtlessly be one of the highlights of the summer football calendar.

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