Copa America 2021: Fresh schedule announced, Brazil set to get title defence underway against Venezuela

The Copa America's upcoming edition would be the 47th edition of the prestigious Latin American international football tournament. Brazil is the nine-time defending champion, while Uruguay has won record 14 titles to date. The competition was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The 47th edition of the Copa America, which is the oldest international football competition globally, is all set to get underway from June 13 this year. The tournament would be held in Argentina and Colombia, across eight venues.

The competition was initially scheduled to be held in 2020 before the pandemic forced it to be delayed. Meanwhile, the new dates and schedules were announced by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) on Monday.

The tournament would be played between ten sides. Although Qatar and Australia were invited as guests, they later withdrew, citing a crunch international calendar and scheduling.

Brazil, the nine-time defending champion, would get its title defence underway against Venezuela on June 14. Meanwhile, the opening day would witness a high-profile clash between Argentina and Chile.

The knockouts would begin on July 2 with the quarters, followed by the semis and third-place playoff. The final would be played on July 10 at Estadio Metropolitano, Barranquilla.

"As is traditional, CONMEBOL invited teams from other confederations. However, the suspended matches and delays brought about by the pandemic that affected world football impeded other nations from participating," said CONMEBOL in a statement.