This yearÆs Copa Merconorte fixtures were decided on Thursday in a draw at the Eden Rock Hotel in Miami. The competition, which includes a total of 16 clubs from Central and South America, begins with the group stage on July 4th 2000.

The 16 clubs were drawn into four groups of four for the first round and will see teams from Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Costa Rica taking part.

The increase in the number of teams taking part from 12 to 16 clubs is one of a number of changes to the 2000 edition of the Copa Merconorte. Five CONCACAF teams will now be taking part û four from Mexico and one invitational side, this year from Costa Rica.

The prize money on offer has also increased to a total of USD $3.58 million and there are proposals for the eventual winner of the competition to play the winner of the Copa Mercosur, a paralell competition featuring clubs from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.

For full details on fixtures in both the Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur, visit Sportcal.comÆs soccer section.

Sportcal.com