Qatar to make debut in 2019 Copa America in Brazil, Japan also to take part

The 2019 Copa America Cup will see two teams from Asia taking part. While Qatar will make its debut in the tournament being held in Brazil, Japan will feature in it for the second time since 1999.

The Copa has had guest sides in every tournament since 1993, and Japan and Qatar will be invited to make up a 12-nation tournament because due to close links that exist between South America body CONMEBOL and the Asian Football Confederation, reported The Japan News.

The Copa America, which will be played between June 14 and July 7, 2019, will not have any teams from North America, reported Sky Sports.

Brazil were originally due to host the 2015 Copa but swapped its organisation rights with Chile, who went on to win the trophy that year after defeating Argentina in a penalty shoot-out.

The same sides also met the following year in a special edition of the tournament to celebrate 100 years of the tournament (originally known as the South American Championship), with Chile again proving victorious on penalties after another goalless draw.