South America’s top international competition, the Copa America, returns for its 48th instalment in 2024. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the tournament kicking off.
Pele. Maradona. Lionel Messi. Neymar. Ronaldinho. Ronaldo. Luis Suarez. Some of the greatest footballers ever have participated in the Copa America from its inception in 1916 through to the modern day. Not all have won it though, such is the strength of the competition.
As the oldest still-running continental football competition, the tournament holds significant prestige in global football. Winning it is the ultimate glory for some players.
Eight nations have tasted Copa America victory throughout its storied history. Argentina and Uruguay are tied for the most all-time (15), while Brazil has claimed nine victories.
While not as large as the Euros, there is still plenty to unpack ahead of the 2024 Copa America.
Your complete guide to the 2024 Copa America
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Where is the tournament hosted?
United States
Now, you may be asking: Aren’t the USA a part of CONCACAF, not CONMEBOL?
You would be correct. However, the 2024 Copa America was co-organised by the two federations, meaning the USA will host the tournament for the second time.
Ecuador was initially expected to host the tournament. However, the South American nation declined the offer in 2022, opening the door for the States to host.
When is the Copa America?
June 20 2024 — July 14 2024
Much like the Euros, the tournament is sandwiched between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 footballing seasons.
How can I watch it?
Optus Sport is Australia’s home of the 2024 Copa America.
Which 16 nations are competing?
As part of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL’s strategic partnership, six CONCACAF guest teams were given the chance to qualify for the tournament. All ten CONMEBOL member national teams were eligible to enter the tournament.
Here’s how the tournament’s four groups are shaping.
Group A: Argentina, Peru, Chile, Canada
Group B: Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Jamaica
Group C: United States, Uruguay, Panama, Bolivia
Group D: Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica
Who are the tournament favourites?
ARGENTINA
It’s hard to overlook Argentina as the favourites. Not only are they the reigning Copa America champions, having lifted the trophy in 2021, but also the reigning World Champions. They will enter the tournament as the most settled side, with most of their World Cup-winning squad improving in the 18 months since Qatar.
At the heart of their campaign is Lionel Messi. The greatest footballer of all time is ageing but remains a constant threat whenever he is on the ball. His creativity and effortless dribbling will create space not only for himself but also for his teammates.
Julian Alvarez has gone from strength to strength at Manchester City, while Alexis Mac Allister is growing into the complete midfielder for Liverpool. Argentina will be hard to beat, no doubt about it.
Argentina will be motivated to emulate Spain’s run between 2008 and 2012, when they won the Euros twice and the World Cup, and became back-to-back Copa America winners whilst being World Champions.
On top of this, the tournament will likely be the last international competition for Lionel Messi. At 36, the forward’s career is winding down. What better way for him to leave international football behind then as a winner?
BRAZIL
While their recent form hasn’t been fantastic, Brazil are too strong to not be considered one of the Copa America favourites. Talismanic forward, Neymar is unlikely to feature after suffering an ACL injury in the October 2023 international break.
This is a major blow for Brazil. Not only is Neymar one of the nation’s leaders on the pitch, but away from it as well. However, the damage of his injury will be softened by the continued emergence of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior as one of football’s best wide forwards.
Joining Vinicius up top will be Richarlison. While inconsistent at club level, the Spurs forward turns into a different beast for his national side. Gabriel’s Jesus and Martinelli, as well as Real Madrid’s Rodryo, means Brazil’s head coach, Dorival Junior, can call upon some of world football’s most exciting attacking talents.
Their midfield is bolstered by Douglas Luiz, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes having exceptional Premier League seasons. The same cannot be said for national captain, Casemiro, who’s having one to forget.
Defensively, there are question marks. Ederson and Alisson will battle for the number one spot. Both can stake a claim as the world’s best goalkeeper. Ahead of them, Arsenal’s Gabriel and PSG’s Marquinhos are exceptional defenders. Is this backline strong enough to deliver Brazil Copa America glory?
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ANY DARKHORSES?
Uruguay boasts one of the competition’s strongest midfield; Rodrigo Bentancur, Manuel Ugarte and Fede Valverde. Up top, Darwin Nunez has found his feet, and the back of the net, this season, though Luis Suarez’s age is a problem.
At the back, Marcelo Bielsa can call upon Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Maria Gimenez. Both are exceptional defenders, even if the pieces surrounding them remain questionable.
However, the biggest doubt about Uruguay may lie with Bielsa. The Argentine coached his birth nation to the final of the 2004 Copa America, which they lost. His style of football, intense and fast-paced with a focus on pressing and moving the ball quickly into attacking positions, is hardly suited to international tournaments, which tend to be won by more gritty and attritional sides.
Outside of Uruguay, the USA arguably has the next strongest squad. Home crowd advantage cannot be underestimated, even if Gregg Berhalter’s coaching can.
Captain Christian Pulisic is experiencing revived fortunes at AC Milan this season. Outside of the left winger, it’s hard to say the US possess any additional excellent players. At best, their squad is littered with talented youngsters who remain unproven at club and international level; Guio Reyna, Malik Tillman and Timothy Weah to name a few.
Mexico and Colombia have fun squads, although it’s difficult to envision either nation making a deep run to the final. However, stranger things have happened. In recent years, we’ve seen both Peru and Paraguay finish as runners-up, while Chile, in their golden generation, won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
