The Copa América is the oldest continental football tournament in the world, and one of the most prestigious. The tournament is held every four years, and brings together the best teams from South America. The 2024 edition of the Copa América will be hosted by the United States, and will feature 12 teams from across the continent. In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about the Copa América 2024, including the history of the tournament, the format of the 2024 edition, the teams participating, and the schedule and venues for the matches. So whether you are a lifelong fan of the Copa América or just getting started, read on to learn everything you need to know about the 2024 edition of the tournament.
History of the Copa América
The Early Years
The Copa América, South America’s oldest international football tournament, was born out of a desire to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Argentina’s independence in 1916. The inaugural tournament was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and featured four teams: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Uruguay emerged victorious, defeating Argentina 2-1 in the final.
Growth and Expansion
The Copa América quickly gained popularity, and by the 1920s, it had become one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world. The tournament expanded to include more teams, and by the 1930s, it was being held every four years. In 1939, Peru hosted the tournament for the first time, and in 1945, Colombia became the first non-South American country to participate.
| Year | Host | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Argentina | Uruguay |
| 1917 | Uruguay | Uruguay |
| 1919 | Brazil | Brazil |
Format of the Copa América 2024
Group Stage
The 12 teams participating in the Copa América 2024 will be divided into three groups of four teams each. Each team will play the other three teams in its group once, for a total of three matches per team. The top two teams from each group, as well as the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador |
| B | Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru |
| C | Uruguay, Venezuela, United States, Mexico |
Knockout Stage
The knockout stage will consist of eight teams: the six group winners and the two best third-placed teams. The teams will be seeded based on their performance in the group stage, with the top seed playing the lowest seed, and so on. The knockout stage will be played in a single-elimination format, with the winner of each match advancing to the next round.
- Quarterfinals
- Semifinals
- Third-place match
- Final
Teams Participating in the Copa América 2024
South American Powerhouses
The Copa América 2024 will feature some of the best football teams in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia. These teams are all former winners of the tournament, and they will be looking to add to their trophy cabinets in 2024.
| Team | Titles | Last Title |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 15 | 2021 |
| Uruguay | 15 | 2011 |
| Brazil | 9 | 2019 |
| Colombia | 1 | 2001 |
Emerging Challengers
In addition to the traditional powerhouses, there are a number of emerging challengers who will be looking to make their mark on the Copa América 2024. Teams like Chile, Peru, and Paraguay have all shown that they can compete with the best teams in South America, and they will be hoping to make a deep run in the tournament.
- Chile
- Peru
- Paraguay
Copa América 2024 Schedule and Venues
The Copa América 2024 will be held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2024. The tournament will be played in 10 cities across the country, from coast to coast. The opening match will be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and the final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena, California | Rose Bowl | 92,000 |
| East Rutherford, New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | 82,500 |
| Los Angeles, California | SoFi Stadium | 70,000 |
| Seattle, Washington | Lumen Field | 68,000 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,000 |
| Chicago, Illinois | Soldier Field | 61,500 |
| Miami, Florida | Hard Rock Stadium | 65,000 |
| Houston, Texas | NRG Stadium | 72,220 |
| Dallas, Texas | AT&T Stadium | 80,000 |
| Foxborough, Massachusetts | Gillette Stadium | 65,878 |
Final Thought
The Copa América 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with some of the best teams in the world competing for the title. The United States will be looking to make a good impression as hosts, and will be hoping to reach the latter stages of the tournament. With so much talent on display, the Copa América 2024 is sure to be a memorable event.
