Expanded Copa America announced

A unique, expanded Copa America will be held in the United States in 2016 and contested by a combination of South and North American teams.

Both the USA and Mexico will participate in the Copa America Centenario in honour of the 100th anniversary of the competition, along with the four highest-placing nations at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

A statement from the South American football federation read: “In July of 2016, Conmebol will celebrate its first century. Because of this, with the aim to celebrate it with the pomp it deserves, the association presidents and members of the Executive Committee have decided to hold a tournament with nations throughout the Americas.”

This does not affect plans to stage the 2015 Copa America however, which will now take place in Chile after Brazil opted out of hosting the competition due to the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Japan withdrew from the last tournament after the country was struck by a devastating tsunami but they, along with Mexico, have been invited to participate in the 2015 edition.

“Mexico and Japan are two sibling federations and friends of South American football,” the official statement from Conmebol said.

Uruguay are the holders of the competition, having defeated Paraguay 3-0 in the 2011 final.