1999 Copa América

The 1999 Copa América was a football tournament held in Paraguay, from 29 June to 18 July. It was organized by CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body.

In order to bring the number of competing teams to twelve, CONMEBOL invited CONCACAF's Mexico, accepting their fourth invitation, and AFC's Japan, who made their debut at the tournament. Japan thus became the first country outside of Americas to participate at the Copa América. Uruguay fielded a youth team.

Competing nations
As with previous tournaments, all ten members of CONMEBOL participated in the competition. In order to bring the number of competing teams to twelve, CONMEBOL invited Mexico (accepting their fourth invitation) from the CONCACAF and Japan from the AFC.


 * 🇦🇷 argentina
 * 🇧🇴 bolivia
 * 🇧🇷 brazil (holders)
 * 🇨🇴 colombia
 * 🇪🇨 ecuador
 * 🇯🇵 japan (invitee)
 * 🇲🇽 mexico (invitee)
 * (hosts)
 * 🇵🇪 peru
 * 🇻🇪 venezuela
 * 🇻🇪 venezuela
 * 🇻🇪 venezuela

Venues
A total of four host cities hosted the tournament. The opening and final game were hosted by Estadio Defensores del Chaco.

Squads
For a complete list of participating squads: 1999 Copa América squads

Venue selection
Paraguay was chosen to be the venue by defeating Colombia by seven votes to three.

Group stage
The teams were divided into three groups of four teams each. The formation of the groups was made by CONMEBOL, in a public drawing of lots.

Each team plays one match against each of the other teams within the same group. Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.

First and second placed teams, in each group, advance to the quarter-finals. The best third placed team and the second best third placed team, also advance to the quarter-finals.


 * Tie-breaker
 * If teams finish leveled on points, the following tie-breakers are used:
 * greater goal difference in all group games;
 * greater number of goals scored in all group games;
 * winner of the head-to-head match between the teams in question;
 * drawing of lots.

Ranking of third-placed teams
At the end of the first stage, a comparison was made between the third-placed teams of each group. The two best third-placed teams advanced to the quarter-finals.

Goalscorers
With five goals apiece, Ronaldo and Rivaldo were the tournament's top scorers.

Sponsorship
Global platinum sponsor
 * MasterCard
 * Telefónica

Global gold sponsor
 * Anheuser-Busch InBev (Budweiser is the brand advertised)
 * Coca-Cola
 * Umbro

Local suppliers
 * Traffic Group
 * Bansud
 * Grupo Financiero Banamex