Brazil given kind Copa America draw\, Argentina land Colombia

Brazil given kind Copa America draw, Argentina land Colombia

AFP  |  Rio De Janeiro 

Hosts were handed a favorable group at the 2019 Copa America draw in but arch-rivals landed a tough appointment with

They will kick-off the tournament on June 14 against in

hosts Qatar, making their debut in the South American tournament as guests, were not treated kindly by the draw, landing and in Group B, as well as

Fellow Asians Japan, making their second appearance after a disappointing debut in 1999, also face a tough task to make it through Group C as they drew record 15-time champions Uruguay, holders and

Brazil, led by Tite, come into the tournament looking to make amends on home soil for their 2014 humiliation when thrashed them 7-1 in the semi-finals.

The hosts, who will have observed with concern a suffered by star for his on Wednesday, haven't won the Copa America since 2007 and last time out failed to even progress to the knock-out stages.

It was a shock 1-0 defeat to that sealed their fate in the Copa America Centenario in the three years ago, and they will again meet in the final pool encounter on June 22 in

Argentina's recent major tournament history is of an even greater concern. Although they have reached four of the last five Copa America finals -- losing to in penalties in the last two -- they haven't claimed any major honors since their success in 1993.

They start their campaign on June 15 in against Colombia, who are ranked one place below them in the rankings and progressed a round further at last year's in

Another concern for is whether or not global icon will come back to the side for the tournament.

He hasn't played for who took over the reins after the team's World Cup debacle, missing six friendlies since then.

The final will be played at Rio's iconic on July 7.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Fri, January 25 2019. 10:00 IST