2024 Copa America begins this week
Just when one excellent major international tournament comes along, another is right behind it as less than a week after Euro 2024 got underway in Germany, the 2024 Copa America will begin this Thursday in the United States.
Argentina are the defending champions following their famous win in 2021 (tournament delayed from 2020) which saw them defeat hosts Brazil in the final. Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the trophy as Argentina triumphed for a 15th time overall (equalling Uruguary's record) but for the first time since 1993.
Argentina then of course went on to also win the 2022 FIFA World Cup and star man Lionel Messi has since moved to the States as he nears the end of his career playing for Inter Miami in the MLS. All eyes are on whether or not he has one more major international tournament win in him and the stage is set for him to try and do so in style with the final taking place in Miami on July 14th.
Hosts the USA are one of 6 CONCACAF teams who qualified via the CONCACAF nations league to join 10 Conmebol nations in this tournament. That gives us 16 teams and a much more simple format than the Euros with four groups of four teams and the top two in each group progressing to quarter-finals.
If you're reading this on Superbru Football, you can check out the full list of venues for the tournament here which include several of the United States' largest arenas.
Here is the group stage draw:
As usual, Argentina and Brazil are considered strong favourites with Argentina considered the more likely winners considering they're world champions, while Uruguay are the other nation considered to have a realistic chance alongside the big two. Now coached by Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay should be a great watch and they have a favourable group which they're expected to progress from ahead of the hosts.
If there is to be a surprise winner from the CONCACAF region, the USA or Mexico are perhaps the most likely candidates, and this is of course a huge tournament for both nations as they prepare to host an even bigger event in a couple of years - the 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Canada are considerable outsiders in their group with Argentina, Peru and Chile, but like Uruguay they're coached by a former Leeds manager in American Jesse Marsch so that should make for intriguing viewing.
With so much talk about Argentina and Messi, Brazil find themselves entering this tournament as the second best side in South America which hasn't been the case all that often in recent decades.
With Neymar injured, this looks like the perfect time for Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr to stand out as the main man for Brazil in a season where he is well in contention for the Ballon d'Or having just won the Champions League. His Madrid teammate Rodrygo will play on the opposite flank for Brazil too, though there's a ridiculous amount of competition on the wings with Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli and new star Savio who was excellent for Girona this season and will soon be promoted to join the City Football Group's main club, Manchester City.
As with all of our football games, predictions can be made right up until kick-off in each individual match.
Argentina are the defending champions following their famous win in 2021 (tournament delayed from 2020) which saw them defeat hosts Brazil in the final. Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the trophy as Argentina triumphed for a 15th time overall (equalling Uruguary's record) but for the first time since 1993.
Argentina then of course went on to also win the 2022 FIFA World Cup and star man Lionel Messi has since moved to the States as he nears the end of his career playing for Inter Miami in the MLS. All eyes are on whether or not he has one more major international tournament win in him and the stage is set for him to try and do so in style with the final taking place in Miami on July 14th.
2024 Copa America
Traditionally a South American tournament (with the odd random invitee here and there), this year's edition of the Copa America is a bit different following a new strategic partnership between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF - the governing bodies for South American football and the North, Central America and Caribbean regions respectively.Hosts the USA are one of 6 CONCACAF teams who qualified via the CONCACAF nations league to join 10 Conmebol nations in this tournament. That gives us 16 teams and a much more simple format than the Euros with four groups of four teams and the top two in each group progressing to quarter-finals.
If you're reading this on Superbru Football, you can check out the full list of venues for the tournament here which include several of the United States' largest arenas.
Here is the group stage draw:
As usual, Argentina and Brazil are considered strong favourites with Argentina considered the more likely winners considering they're world champions, while Uruguay are the other nation considered to have a realistic chance alongside the big two. Now coached by Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay should be a great watch and they have a favourable group which they're expected to progress from ahead of the hosts.
If there is to be a surprise winner from the CONCACAF region, the USA or Mexico are perhaps the most likely candidates, and this is of course a huge tournament for both nations as they prepare to host an even bigger event in a couple of years - the 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Canada are considerable outsiders in their group with Argentina, Peru and Chile, but like Uruguay they're coached by a former Leeds manager in American Jesse Marsch so that should make for intriguing viewing.
With so much talk about Argentina and Messi, Brazil find themselves entering this tournament as the second best side in South America which hasn't been the case all that often in recent decades.
With Neymar injured, this looks like the perfect time for Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr to stand out as the main man for Brazil in a season where he is well in contention for the Ballon d'Or having just won the Champions League. His Madrid teammate Rodrygo will play on the opposite flank for Brazil too, though there's a ridiculous amount of competition on the wings with Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli and new star Savio who was excellent for Girona this season and will soon be promoted to join the City Football Group's main club, Manchester City.
Copa America Predictor
If you're yet to join the tournament but would like to do so, you can find the Copa America Predictor here.As with all of our football games, predictions can be made right up until kick-off in each individual match.
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19 Jun 03:47
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