The planets are aligning for a massive clash between big European clubs and the national teams of South America. This season's UEFA Champions League Final will take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany on the evening of June 6th, 2015. The opening match for the next edition of the Copa America is scheduled to take place on June 11th, 2015; leaving just four days for travel and preparation ahead of the continental tournament.

This has not been a problem in the past with the 2011 Champions League Final taking place on May 28th, 2011 and the 2011 Copa America beginning on July 1st, 2011. Also in 2007, when the Champions League Final took place on May 23rd, 2007 and the 2007 Copa America starting on June 26th, 2007.

In preparation for the 2011 Copa America, the national teams were required to turn in their final 23-man squad list five days prior to their opening match. This would mean a direct conflict with the Champions League Final for nations playing on the first day of the tournament. Though if you refer to the last edition, they only had one match on the opening day. We will find out for sure when the draw takes place on October 27th in Viña del Mar.

This dilemma will only affect a handful of players given UEFA's rules on the number of non-European Union players that a team can have but it sure to be a big story as both competitions approach. The "club vs. country" debate is always a hot topic among soccer players and fans but this will be the ultimate battle in that debate.

FIFA Laws mandate that clubs release players for any international competition sanctioned by football's governing body. With the 2015 Copa America on the FIFA Calendar, it means that clubs will be required to release any players who is called in to their national team for the tournament. This could get real ugly, real quick. Stay tuned to VAVEL USA for all of the latest information regarding this interesting scenario.

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About the author
Matthew Evans
Matthew is an American sports journalist based out of Kennewick, Washington. He is a Managing Editor for VAVEL USA as well as Co-editor of the soccer section.