Qatar to play in 2019 Copa America, more information

By
Roy Nemer
-
9
Lionel Messi Qatar
Lionel Messi Qatar

Qatar has been invited to play in the 2019 Copa America.

Yes, you read that correctly. Qatar is one of the invited countries/states that will feature in next year’s tournament. According to a report by Globo Sport (who quoted the general director of Aspire Academy, Ivan BRAVO), the team will participate in the tournament which will be held next year in Brazil.

A total of 16 teams will play in the 2019 Copa with a total of six countries being invited (Qatar being one of those invitees). There were rumors early last year that Portugal and Spain would take part in the competition but that idea seems to have fallen through. Instead, the other countries which are rumored to be invited are Mexico, the United States, China, Japan and one of Australia or South Korea.

This would be a test for Qatar, three years before hosting the biggest tournament in the world, the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Here’s what BRAVO had to say about it:

“It will be the first time that Qatar has faced teams such as Brazil and Argentina. It will be a unique opportunity for the national team to gain experience, so that it can compete on the right level at the 2022 World Cup.”

Argentina played Qatar once which came in 2005 as the Albiceleste picked up a 3-0 win with goals coming by Juan Roman RIQUELME, Julio CRUZ and Roberto AYALA. Jorge SAMPAOLI (should he still be coaching the team come next year’s tournament) will (hopefully) have a new set of players for the tournament as this will be a key time in the progress the team will make in attempting to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

Here was Argentina’s line-up for that match:
Roberto ABBONDANZIERI; Roberto AYALA, Walter SAMUEL, Juan Pablo SORIN; Maxi RODRIGUEZ, Martin DEMICHELIS, Sebastian BATTAGLIA, Daniel BILOS; Juan Roman RIQUELME; Lionel MESSI and Javier SAVIOLA

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9 Comments

  4. We have better chance to win the worldcup than copa america because of the corrupt conmebol officials who will do everything to help brazil win it in their country like chile in 15.

  6. Would have been/would be nice to see at least a couple of European teams. I guess the only ones interested would be those whom are in rebuilding phase. Others would have the Euro Cup in 2020 already.

    I really liked the idea of Portugal, Ronaldo led portugal would be very neat. Unfortunately Messi will not be around on the National team after this world cup, win or lose.

    What I ponder is whether Sampaoli stays around for Copa? If Argentina win this world cup surely he’ll be solicited, if they lose horribly he’ll be ousted within a few months (or he’ll resign). If they do well, say lose in semi or final I think the fans hunger for a trophy would likely lead to his firing within a year of the world cup.

    • Tapia has already confirmed sampaoli is going to stay long irespective of the result of this world cup. At last,one sane desicion coming from AFA

    • Messi can easily have another WC after this if injury free. Unlikely, but he could even push 2 more. If Maradona could come back from retirement and very overweight and still be a serious threat, Messi surely can. He wont be the same, but if he keeps evolving into a #10 loosing top speed is less an issue.

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