The 2019 Copa d'Aeia was the 30th edition of the Copa d'Aeia, an international football tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of Football Federation of Aeia once every year. It took place in June and July from June 18th to July 24th 2019. It was the first Copa to be held in Atresca, and the first time that it had been held in Sifhar. At an estimated cost of over $8.9 billion, it was one of the most expensive football championships in the history of professional football. It was also the first Copa to use the video assistant referee (VAR) system.
In March 2017, FFA announced that the tournament would be held in Atresca for the first time in history. Atresca announced that it will ballot for host earlier than all others, and in the process had more time to prepare. It decisively won the first round, taking Vidoria, the first team to ballot from Renekka, out of the competition. In the second round, Atresca again won in the first place, defeating the bid from Hytekia. Atresca was officially elected as host nation unopposed on 30 October 2017.
In contrast with previous editions of the Copa d'Aeia it was announced that the 2019 tournament would utilise a different draw system for both the group stages and knockout rounds. Previously the host nation was automatically placed within group A, however the FFA designated that from 2019 onward the host nation would also be placed into the random draw along with every other participant. Additionally, it was decided that upon the conclusion of the group stage a new random draw would take place to decide the match-ups for the round-of-16. Controversially, no preference was given within the draw for teams which finished first or second within their group. Whilst this angered some as it was seen to not reward teams that performed well in the group stage; the FFA stated that the move was introduced in an attempt to add an extra level of "randomness and intrigue" to the knockout stages.
Per statistical convention in football, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-out are counted as draws.
During the match between Midrasia and Veleaz that took place on July 3rd, in Kyderabad considerable controversy was caused following Miques Crespi's celebration after the goal he scored within the 37th minute of the match. Crespi, who plays for Midrasian side AC Lotric is known to use a trademark celebration when scoring which involves the use of finger guns pointed at the crowd. After scoring, many Veleazan players, fans, and team staff took offence at the left-back's celebration which they believed to refer to the recent Triskaideka War as well as the gunning down of civilians by the Veleazan Red Army as they attempted to flee over the Appian Wall into Midrasia.
Crespi was shown a yellow card as a result of his actions, however Veleazan fans and staff continued to show their displeasure by throwing items onto the pitch and abusing the referee. In response, a group of Midrasian fans hurled abuse at the Veleazans and unveiled a banner saying: "Ossuria is Midrasian" referring to the dispute the two nations hold over the island. Though the situation was eventually quelled by security personnel, in the aftermath of the game the Veleazan Football Association denounced the actions of the player and called for both the Football Federation of Aeia as well as the Midrasian Football Federation to issue a sterner punishment. Ultimately, the FFA chose not to issue a further punishment to the player, however the Midrasian Football Federation suggested that Crespi issue an official apology, which he later did during a press conference.
Atresca
Midrasia (5th title)
Crylante
Mardin Isles
Goulong
Áron ú Dochartaigh
Hytekia
Vidoria
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Vvarden
Onza
15
Kustlân
Brilliania
Newrey
Habasha
Aleia
Ajerrin
The Mawusi
Navack
Juznia
Chokashia
Crethia
Veleaz
Isolaprugna
Alriika
Batisuria
Utamucanee
Fahran
Renneque
Timarbia
Liberimery
S. Jon Gederer