When is the Copa America, who is in it, where can I watch it - and why is it taking place in the US?

This year's edition is being held in America to commemorate the tournament's centenary

Alexis Sanchez leads Chile celebrations after their Copa America success on home soil last summer - their first victory in the tournament (Getty)

Because the European Championship is not the only continental football tournament taking place this month.

As well as the Euros kicking-off in a week's time, South America also sees the cream of it's continent's talents meet over the next few weeks in a landmark Copa America.

Friday witnesses the start of the 45th edition of the Copa America, held so soon after last year's tournament to mark the 100th anniversary of the shindig.

To mark the centenary - the Copa America Centenario, no less - the whole event will take place in the United States, in a special edition between the usual four-year cycle of Copas.

It is the first time since 1957 that the Copa has been held in successive years.

This will be the first time the tournament has been held outside South America.

Last year's jamboree was hosted by eventual winners Chile.

Argentina have been the most used hosts - 11 times - followed by Chile and Uruguay on seven each.

The next tournament, scheduled for 2019 when the event will revert to it's normal format, will take place in Brazil.

Victory last year gave Chile their first ever title, as they beat Argentina on penalties after a goalless draw.

They trail Uruguay (15), Argentina (14) and Brazil (8). among others, in terms of most successes.


 Angel di Maria will seek to improve Argentina's recent record - losing three of the last four finals (Getty)

Sixteen countries will take part this summer - up from the usual 12 - including Chile defending their crown.

There are a total of 10 venues, hosting four groups of four, with the top two from each progressing to the quarter-finals.

The opening match pits the hosts against Colombia, at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium. The match kick-off at 2.30am BST on Saturday morning, and will be screened live, as will the rest of the tournament in the United Kingdom, on Premier Sports.

The final takes place in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday 26 June.

The Premier League provides a total of 34 players - only Mexico, with 36, have sent more to the tournament.

Venues Seattle, Chicago, Boston, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Santa Clara, Pasadena, Arizona, Houston, Orlando.

Teams: Group A Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, United States

Group B Brazil, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru

Group C Jamaica, Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela

Group D Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Panama

Fixtures: Group games Saturday-14 June

Quarter-finals 16-18 June

Semi-final 21 & 22 June

Third-place play-off 25 June (Glendale, Arizona)

Final 26 June (East Rutherford, New Jersey)

Players to watch out beyond your usual Premier League fare include Uruguayans Diego Godin and Edinson Cavani, Brazilians Dani Alves and Hulk, Mexico's former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez and Argentineans Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria.

One notable absentee is Neymar, who opted to take part in the Rio Olympics instead, which run from 5-21 August. Other names not featuring are Javier Pastore, Paulo Dybala, Keylor Navas, Radamel Falcao, Marcelo, Jackson Martinez, David Luiz, Giovani, Fredy Guarin and Thiago Silva.


 Neymar will not be appearing at the Copa America, choosing instead to take part in the Olympic Games (Getty)

Premier League players at the Copa America:

Arsenal David Ospina (Chile), Joel Campbell (Costa Rica), Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Aston Villa Carlos Sanchez (Chile), Brad Guzan (USA)

Bournemouth Juan Iturbe (Paraguay)

Chelsea Willian (Brazil), Michael Hector (Jamaica)

Crystal Palace Adrian Mariappa (Jamaica)

Everton Tim Howard (USA), Bryan Oviedo (Costa Rica), Ramiro Funes Mori (Argentina)

Hull Abel Hernandez (Uruguay)

Leicester Wes Morgan (Jamaica)

Liverpool Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)

Manchester City Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina)

Manchester United Antonio Valencia (Ecuador), Sergio Romero (Argentina), Marcos Rojo (Argentina)

Middlesbrough Gaston Ramirez (Uruguay), Cristhian Stuani (Uruguay)

Stoke Geoff Cameron (USA)

Swansea Jefferson Montero (Ecuador)


 Premier League winner Wes Morgan is part of the Jamaica squad for the tournament (Getty)

Tottenham DeAndre Yedlin (USA), Erik Lamela (Argentina)

Watford Juan Carlos Paredes (Ecuador), Adalberto Penaranda (Venezuela)

West Bromwich Cristian Gamboa (Costa Rica), Salomon Rondon (Venezuela)

West Ham Enner Valencia (Ecuador)

Others: Birmingham Clayton Donaldson (Jamaica)

Blackburn Lee Williamson (Jamaica)

Reading Garath McCleary (Jamaica)

Leyton Orient Jobi McAnuff (Jamaica)