The Socceroos are bound for Argentina in June to take part in the prestigious Copa America for the first time in its history, as one of two guest nations, along with Qatar.

Wednesday’s Copa America draw placed the Socceroos in the South Zone group alongside Latin Football heavyweights Argentina, Uruguay and Chile as well as Paraguay and Bolivia.

Argentina is co-hosting the tournament together with Columbia which is staging the North Zone group matches which includes Columbia, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador and Qatar.

Currently ranked 42nd in the world FIFA rankings, the Socceroos will go in as underdogs in most of their group games against top 10 ranked teams Argentina and Uruguay, and 17th ranked nation Chile. Paraguay is ranked 40th whilst Bolivia (76 ranking) is the only nation in the group ranked below Australia.

The Socceroos’ Copa America campaign kicks off in Cordoba on June 14th against Uruguay, the first of five matches they play over a 17 day period. If the Socceroos finish in the top four of their six team group, they progress to the knockout stage of the tournament which begins with the quarterfinals.

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The Socceroos’ chances of progressing beyond the group stage received a boost when they were drawn into the South Zone group, being staged in Argentina where the conditions will be a Southern Hemisphere winter similar to the conditions back home. Columbia, which stages the Group B matches, is close to the equator and playing conditions are expected to be a lot hotter and more difficult for players.

Socceroos Coach Graham Arnold commented on the draw.

“It’s going to be better for us because it’s winter here in Australia at the same time the boys in Europe are used to playing in the cold so it is going to suit us better,” Arnold said.

The Socceroos will kick off their Copa America campaign just days after playing Jordan in a World Cup qualifier on home soil on 9 June and there is some speculation as to whether coach Arnold will use the tournament as an opportunity to give some valuable tournament experience to younger Socceroos.

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“Whether I do that or not is another thing. It’s about going to this tournament and using this great experience to have a wonderful life experience. Going there to expect to win all the games, I never think any different of any game,” he said.

Copa America Group A match dates for the Socceroos:
13 June v Uruguay in Cordoba
17 June v Paraguay in La Plata
20 June v Bolivia in Mendoza
26 June v Argentina in Buenos Aires
30 June v Chile in Cordoba