Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani smiles during a press conference on January 14, 2019 in Doha as the team (PSG) start their winter training camp in the Qatari capital. AFP / Karim Jaafar
Doha: The inclusion of Qatar team in this year’s Copa America is a move in the right direction and will provide an added attraction to the prestigious tournament, said Paris Saint-Germain and Uruguayan star Edinson Cavani.
“To have a team from this continent at the Copa America, it’s something very special to bring a new culture and to mix with the South Americans,” the 31-year-old said while speaking at a press conference in Doha yesterday.
Copa America, which has been traditionally a tournament confined to South American countries, is moving in a new direction with the inclusion of Asian teams.
“To have Qatar is a surprise and I think it is going to be something very nice,” the star striker said to reporters at PSG’s winter training camp in Doha.
The French champions are in Qatar as part of the four-day winter training camp and yesterday was the first day for the French champions in Doha.
The 2019 Copa America tournament will take place in Brazil in June and July this year.
It was announced in May that Qatar would be one of the 12 teams taking part.
Besides the FIFA 2022 World Cup hosts, Japan will be the other Asian side in the 12-nation tournament.
Japan have previously played in the Copa America, in 1999, while Qatar will be making their Copa America debut.
Uruguay have 15 Copa America titles against their name and Cavani said there was a real possibility they could win again.
“We have very good chances, we have been playing very well in recent years and had a good competition in Russia,” he said.
“Historically, Uruguay is a team smart enough to have won it the most times.
“This, I think, gives prestige to Uruguay in this competition.”
The draw for the event takes place on January 24.
