Japan Pulls Out of Copa America; Says Country Will Focus on Rebuilding

The Padre Ernesto Martearena Stadium is seen during its preparation for the Copa America 2011 soccer tournament in Salta, Argentina, Tuesday, March 29, 2011. The tournament will take place in Argentina between July 1 and July 24 and will count with the presence of 12 national soccer teams. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia) (AP2011)

Three months before the start of the international tournament, Japan pulled out of Copa America.

The president of the Japanese Football Association Junji Ogura said the most important thing was for his country to rebuild after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan on March 11.

"The priority at this moment is to continue saving lives and rebuilding the country after the earthquake and tsunami," Ogura said after meeting with officials of CONMEBOL, South American soccer's governing body.

Japan’s withdrawal leaves the 12-nation tournament with only 11 teams. CONMEBOL president Nicolas Leoz said he would meet with other continental leaders to discuss inviting a replacement.

CONMEBOL spokesman Nestor Benitez suggested Costa Rica or Canada as possible replacements but said nothing had been decided.

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"CONMEBOL will make a final decision relying on the consensus of its members," Benitez said.

The Copa America will be played July 1-24 in Argentina. Both Japan and Mexico had planned to send teams largely made up of youth players to the tournament, with Mexico's top team competing in the Gold Cup — the championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, which will be held in June.

Leoz said Japan would be invited to play in the 2015 Copa America, which is to be hosted by Brazil. Japan also played in the 1999 Copa America.

"We are sorry to be pulling out because we recognize that we have advanced in football by being close to South American (teams)," Ogura added.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.