Brazil to host 2019 Copa America

Miami, June 27 (IANS) The Copa America, the world's oldest competition among national soccer teams, will be played in Brazil in 2019, taking the tournament back to South America after this year's centennial edition was organised by first-time hosts the United States.

On Sunday, Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 in a penalty shootout, winning its second straight title in the tournament, reports Efe.

Brazil last hosted the tournament in 1989, winning the trophy, South American Soccer Federation, or Conmebol, president Alejandro Dominguez said.

This will be the fifth time that the Copa America is played in Brazil, which hosted the event in 1919, 1922, 1949 and 1989.

The South American soccer powerhouse has won the title eight times.

In 2012, the Brazilian Soccer Federation, or CBF, approved an agreement that awarded Chile the 2015 Copa America hosting rights and assigned the 2019 tournament to Brazil.

Brazil hosted the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013, the World Cup in 2014 and is the site of the Summer Olympic Games this summer.

--IANS

tri/dg