Argentina faces Bolivia on July 1 in the opening game of the Copa America, hoping for a fast start as it tries for its first major trophy since winning the Copa America in 1993.
In Thursday's draw, Bolivia was selected in Group A with Argentina - the seeded team - and Colombia and Japan. The opener takes place in La Plata, located 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires. The final is July 24 in Buenos Aires.
Brazil is seeded in Group B, joined by Paraguay, Ecuador and Venezuela. In Group C, Uruguay is seeded and will play Chile, Mexico and Peru. Japan and Mexico are guest nations, filling out the 12-team field.
The three groups seem well matched with the top eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals.
The opening game pits Argentina against one of the weakest teams in the field. However, Argentina is still smarting from a 6-1 loss to Bolivia in qualifying for the 2008 World Cup. Japan defeated Argentina 1-0 in a friendly last month, the only blemish on the record of new Argentina coach Sergio Batista.
Batista was appointed the full-time coach last week, replacing Diego Maradona, who was let go following Argentina's loss to Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals. Despite having won two World Cups, Argentina has not lifted a major trophy in 17 years.
''It's been a long time since Argentina has won something,'' Batista said. ''We have to be ready for all three (sides). Japan is a tough team and it has improved a lot. It showed in the World Cup and in the friendly.''
Bolivia is coached by Argentina-born Gustavo Quinteros, who took Bolivian nationality and wants to take advantage of the draw.
''To open the tournament against a rival like Argentina is motivating for any team,'' Quinteros said. ''We hope to play well and give our first opponent big problems.''
As always, Argentina and Brazil are the favorites with Argentina, perhaps, having the edge as the host nation.
The tournament has changed format and frequency over the years. Argentina and Uruguay have each won 14 times, followed by Brazil with eight, Paraguay and Peru with two each, and Colombia and Bolivia with one apiece.
However, Brazil has won the last two tournaments, beating Argentina in the final both times.
Seven of the 12 teams in the field reached the second round of the World Cup in South Africa. Three teams - Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay - are ranked in the top 10 by FIFA.
''After the World Cup, everybody is focusing all their energy on the Copa America,'' said Carlos Bilardo, head of national teams for the Argentina Football Association. ''For this reason, no rival is ever easy in this tournament because everyone is starting from zero; new blood, new coaches, everything is new.''
The tournament could feature five of the 23 players nominated for FIFA's player of the year award.
Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi won the award last year and is the favorite again. The four others are Brazilian trio Daniel Alves, Julio Cesar and Maicon, and Diego Forlan of Uruguay. Forlan was named the top player at the World Cup.
