South American Football Confederation Conmebol moved the tournament from Argentina on 1 June.

But the players' statement said they had never considered boycotting the tournament.

The statement, posted on the players' personal social media accounts, appeared soon after the team beat Paraguay 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Asuncion - the first time they had won in the country since 1985.

However, Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro has defended the decision to allow the tournament to go ahead in his country, insisting it did not pose a health risk.

The 10-nation tournament kicks off on Sunday with the new hosts facing Venezuela in Brasilia.

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