CONMEBOL confirmed: 'Argentina will not host the Copa America'

has been plunged into turmoil as CONMEBOL yanked

Argentina

as hosts due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country. 

Following the organizing body's decision to divest Colombia of co-hosting rights due to anti-government rallies and COVID-19 risks in the country, Argentina was poised to host the showcase South American event, which would begin on June 13 in Buenos Aires. 

CONMEBOL was looking for additional venues in Argentina to supplant Colombia ahead of next month's scheduled curtain-raiser at El Monumental between Lionel Messi's La Albiceleste and Chile.

Argentina will not host the Copa America this year, the country said on Sunday. 

According to reports,

Chile

,

Paraguay

, and the

United States

are the frontrunners to host the tournament. 

"CONMEBOL informs that in view of the present circumstances it has been decided to suspend the development of the Copa America in Argentina," a statement read on Sunday.

"CONMEBOL analyses another offers from countries that showed interest in hosting the continental tournament."

Prior to the announcement, Argentina's interior minister Wado de Pedro recognized that hosting the Copa America would be "extremely problematic" owing to the COVID-19 scenario.

"Today I was talking with the president about the health situation of certain jurisdictions, such as Mendoza, Cordoba, Tucuman and Santa Fe [the first two designated venues of the tournament], and due to the health diagnosis we see very difficult that the cup can be played in Argentina," De Pedro told C5N.

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