Bengaluru, June 3: The FIFA World Cup might still be two years away but for football fanatics, the year 2016 is set to bring no less thrill for two major international tournaments are set to kick off within a gap of seven days---on either side of the Atlantic.
While the Copa America is set to begin on Friday (June 3) when hosts USA will take on Colombia in the opening game at Santa Clara, the Euro will start in Saint-Denis on June 10 and there too, hosts France will lock horns with Romania. [Copa America 2016 full schedule]
While the Copa America features 16 teams, the Euro will be a bigger tournament of 24 sides. While the Copa America final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in East Ruderford on June 26, the final of the Euro will be played at Stad de France in Saint-Denis on July 10. [Euro 2016 full schedule]
Brazil won't mind not playing Germany in this separated world soccer carnival
While Chile are the current holders in Copa (they beat Argentina 4-1 on penalties in 2015), Spain won the 2012 edition of the Euro by drubbing Italy 4-0 in the final.
It's only the second time in history that these two high-profile tournaments are being played in the same year. The only other time it had happened was in 2004. While Brazil bagged the Copa that year defeating arch-rivals Argentina, Greece lifted their first and only Euro title.
It's just another 'World Cup' played in two different continents and with two titles.
Oneindia News