The Socceroos have been invited to take part in the 2020 edition of South America's continental football championships, the Copa America.

Key points: The Copa America is the oldest international continental football competition

The Copa America is the oldest international continental football competition The Socceroos will be the third Asian team invited to the tournament

The Socceroos will be the third Asian team invited to the tournament Guest teams are regularly invited to take part in the Copa America

Current Asian Cup champions Qatar will join the Socceroos as the second guest participant, meaning the two most recent Asian champions will be represented.

The South American football confederation, CONMEBOL said that Australia and Qatar will join the ten South American teams in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia after a council meeting in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.

One of the guest nations will be pitted in the northern group with Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and joint-hosts Colombia.

The other will join Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile and group-hosts Argentina.

The Socceroos could come up against footballing giants Lionel Messi of Argentina and Brazil's Neymar. ( AP/Reuters )

Four teams from each six-team group will progress to the quarter-finals.

Qatar is currently preparing to take part in its first Copa America, which kicks off in Brazil this weekend, along with fellow Asian Cup finalists, Japan.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said the opportunity to play at "one of the world's most prestigious football tournaments" was a huge incentive for the players.

"The Copa America is a highlight of the football calendar and we can't wait to get there.

"We crave these opportunities as players and coaches. The experience we will gain from playing in this tournament will be incredible and I know by speaking to our players, they are equally excited," Arnold said.

"Our planning for the [2022] World Cup [in] Qatar has already started. Playing in this tournament provides another layer of incentive for our players to put themselves up for selection for the national team.

"It will be a big couple of months as we start June next year with World Cup qualifiers and then head straight to the Copa America."

Graham Arnold said it is a 'great opportunity for everyone'. ( AP: Hassan Ammar )

Why are Asian teams playing in the South American championships?

Simply put, to make up the numbers.

With only 10 countries in the South American confederation, teams have been invited from outside the continent to facilitate an easier draw since 1993.

Invites have often been sent to teams that are geographically and culturally similar, with Mexico competing in each of the 10 tournaments between 1993 and 2016.

Costa Rica (five appearances), the United States (four) and Jamaica have also been repeat invitees, along with four other teams from the neighbouring CONCACAF (North and Central America) zone.

Japan was the first team from Asia to be invited when it participated in the 1999 tournament in Paraguay, followed by its invitation this year alongside Qatar.

The scheduling of this year's CONCACAF Gold Cup at the same time as the Copa America meant that CONMEBOL was forced to cast its net further afield.

So what happens if a guest nation wins?

The Socceroos have an opportunity for more continental silverware. ( AAP: Dean Lewins )

The somewhat thorny issue of a team from outside South America winning the South American continental tournament has not had to be confronted, yet.

However, it has been a close run thing.

Mexico has reached the final in 1993 and 2001 — losing on both occasions — with the USA and Honduras also making the semi-finals in their guest appearances.

If Qatar wins on its debut this season, it will be the first country to ever hold continental titles simultaneously.

The Socceroos meanwhile have the opportunity to claim a third separate continental title to go alongside the 2015 Asian Cup and the four OFC Nations Cup titles won in 1980, 1996, 2000 and 2004.

The Copa America is the oldest international continental football competition, first taking place in 1916.

The reigning champions are Chile, who won its second title 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Argentina in 2016.