Copa América is 100 years old and the world's best are coming to the U.S. to celebrate this year. Copa América Centenario officially recognizes the tournament as the oldest international continental soccer competition in the world. It was first officiated in Argentina on July 2, 1916, but didn’t get its name until 1975.
This year, the event will take place in different stadiums across the United States, where the strongest soccer teams in South America and México will be fighting for the tittle.
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, México, Paraguay, Perú, Uruguay and Venezuela are some of the Latin American countries that will show their skills and techniques on the field, in order to be able to take the acclaimed golden cup home.
The inauguration ceremony will take place on June 3 at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, followed by the first match between the U.S. and Colombia.
Here are some historic facts about this championship:
1) 725 games have been played in the Copa América throughout the years. During its first edition, 3,000 people showed up for the inauguration game.
2) The first game ever played was Uruguay VS. Chile at the “Gimnasia y Esgrima de Buenos Aires” Stadium, where Uruguay beat Chile 4-0.
3) Copa América was previously known as Campeonato Sudamericano de Selecciones.
4) In the years, 1916, 1935, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1956 and 1959, the champion was never crowned due to the outstanding performance of the participant teams.
5) In 1925, only 3 teams participated: Argentina (Champion), Brazil (Second Place), and Paraguay (Third Place).
6) Argentina has been the tournament’s host 9 times: 1916, 1921, 1925, 192, 1937, 1946, 1959, 1987, and 2011.
7) This is the first time the United States host the event, and the first time the teams compete in a country outside South America.
8) The country that has played in the Copa América the most times is Uruguay, with 42 appearances.
9) The Non-South American countries that have been invited to this tournament are: México, U.S., Japan, Honduras and Costa Rica. Jamaica will be playing for the first time in 2015.
10) The most painful score took place in January 22, 1942 when Argentina beat Ecuador 12-0.
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