United States confirmed as Copa America Centenario hosts

US Soccer have confirmed they will host the Copa America Centenario ©CONCACAF

The US Soccer Federation have confirmed they will stage the Copa America Centenario in 2016, having partnered with the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).

The move from both CONCACAF and CONMEBOL to end their relationship with Argentine sports marketing agency Datisa, who had been the subject of an American Justice Department investigation, had removed a key obstacle to the United States, who had earlier been named as hosts, staging the tournament.

Having reclaimed their broadcast and sponsorship rights the two bodies also unveiled a code of conduct for new and existing partners, while they claim new commercial agreements will be signed using a process which ensures transparency and accountability.

Following the changes, US Soccer are now set to stage the first edition of the Copa America to be held outside of South America, with the tournament due to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Championships, which were first held in Argentina.

The Championships are usually held every four-years, with Chile triumphing on home soil earlier this year, but the Centenario will be held next year as a special one-off tournament.

It is set to feature 10 teams from CONMEBOL and six teams from CONCACAF, instead of the usual format of a 12-team event.

US Soccer have revealed that the tournament will begin on June 3 with the final set to be played on June 26.

They have also stated that they will immediately begin work to secure venues for the tournament and begin preparations to overcome the operational issues with hosting the event, such as the travel challenges posed by visiting fans.

A total of 24 metropolitan areas had expressed an interest in hosting matches, with the states of California and Florida both putting forward three cities.

Argentina's Lionel Messi will be one of the stars expected to feature in the United States ©Getty Images

Venues for the competition are required to meet a minimum seating capacity of 50,000, while the national governing body have claimed a total of 40,000 fans have already signed up to receive ticket information updates for the tournament.

Argentina, featuring three-time world player of the year Lionel Messi, will be one of the 10 nations from CONMEBOL competing with the list completed by Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Both the United States and Mexico have automatically qualified through CONCACAF, while Costa Rica will participate after winning the 2014 Copa Centroamericana.

Jamaica also earned their spot by triumphing at the 2014 Caribbean Cup.

CONCACAF’s two final representatives are set be decided by play-offs, which are due to be organised in the near future.