Ahead of the 46th edition of South America's international competition, Goal counts down those who have enjoyed the most success in the tournament
Following the group stage draw earlier this week , the countdown to Copa America's 2019 edition has begun.
Four nations participating in this year's competition are yet to lift the title – including this year's two invited nations, Japan and Qatar, the latter of whom will be making their debut in the competition .
But who has been crowned the champions of South America the most times?
Bolivia
Copa America titles won: 1
Years won: 1963
Bolivia have lifted the Copa America trophy just once, but it came on home soil and in one of the competition's most memorable tournaments, with 91 goals scored for an average of just over four per game. For a country who have only qualified for three World Cups, their last in 1994 and none of the three seeing them progress from the group stages, it remains their greatest footballing achievement.
When hosted the tournament again in 1997, they came close to repeating history, only to be defeated 3-1 by Ronaldo's Brazil in the final. However, Bolivia have generally struggled at Copa America, with their first and second-placed finishes complemented by two runs to the quarter-finals, but little else.
They did reach the last eight as recently as 2015 though, an incredibly impressive result for a squad with 18 of their players still playing in their homeland – and the only exceptions being just as unknown while plying their trade in Sweden, China, Chile, Italy and Turkey.
AdvertisementGettyColombia
Copa America titles won: 1
Years won: 2001
Despite their current squad being blessed with a plethora of talent – the likes of Davinson Sanchez, James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao – Colombia's recent Copa America record is rather patchy. Since winning their first and only title in 2001, they have finished third and fourth, twice crashed out in the quarter-finals and didn't even escape the group stages in 2007.
Their current crop is arguably more talented than the side who were crowned champions of South America at the beginning of the century, too. Inter legend Ivan Cordoba was the star in a 23-man squad that contained 17 players who played their football in their home country.
almost lived up to the billing at the Copa America Centenario too, only for eventual champions Chile to beat them in the semi-finals. Carlos Bacca's strike did secure a 1-0 win over the USA in the third-place play-off, but they will need to sort their managerial situation out if they are to build on that this summer. Colombia have been under Arturo Reyes' interim charge since Jose Pekerman departed after the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
GettyPeru
Copa America titles won: 2
Years won: 1939, 1975
It's over 40 years since Peru last won the Copa America, with Hugo Sotil of Barcelona and Teofilo Cubillas of Porto starring in their first triumph since victory on home soil in 1939, under the charge of Englishman Jack Greenwell.
are enjoying something of a resurgence in recent years, however. Last summer, they qualified for their first World Cup finals since 1982, and they have reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the last eight Copa America tournaments.
Their current crop contains a balanced mix of youth and experience – with Paolo Guerrero and Jefferson Farfan hoping to guide the likes of Willem II's Renato Tapia and San Jose Earthquakes teenager Marcos Lopez beyond a Copa America semi-final for the first time since their 1975 triumph.
GettyParaguay
Copa America titles won: 2
Years won: 1953, 1979
This year marks exactly 40 years since Paraguay last lifted the Copa America trophy, with a squad containing the likes of Romerito, the one-time Barcelona midfielder regarded as Paraguay's greatest ever footballer; Roberto Cabanas, who would go on to play for New York Cosmos and Lyon; and Roberto Fernandez, the goalkeeper best-known for his time at Valencia and Espanyol.
Their one other success in the competition came in 1953. Former Juventus manager Heriberto Herrera, who guided them to Coppa Italia success in 1965 and the Serie A title in 1967, was the star name from the side that upset Brazil with a 3-2 win in the final.
have come close to tasting success since, having reached the semi-finals in 2015 and finished runners-up in 2011. However, they finished bottom of their group in 2016, with only a point from their goalless draw against Costa Rica to show for their efforts.