BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay midfielder Matias Vecino will miss the rest of the Copa America because of a hamstring injury, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) said on Monday.

The 27-year-old was forced off in the 79th minute of Uruguay's 4-0 win over Ecuador in their opening match of the tournament here on Sunday and scans confirmed the Celeste's worst fears.

"The injury will prevent him from participating in the rest of the tournament," the AUF said in a statement.

Copa America rules prohibit teams from changing their squads after the first match, meaning Uruguay now have only 22 players for the rest of the tournament.

The Celeste's next match in the continental tournament will be against Japan in Porto Alegre on Thursday.