Thursday night’s draw for the upcoming Copa America in the summer of 2024 has unveiled the groups for the tournament. The United States, as the host nation, has been placed in Group C alongside the tournament’s joint all-time champion, Uruguay.
Additionally, Panama and Bolivia complete the group composition for this exciting football competition.
Defending champion Argentina, who shares the record for the most Copa America titles with Uruguay, will face two-time winner Peru in the group stage. Meanwhile, in Group D, Brazil, with nine Copa America titles to their name, will take on 2021 third-place finisher Colombia.
Copa America will feature 16 teams
The Copa America will feature 16 teams, including six CONCACAF invitees, which include Mexico, the United States, Jamaica, and Panama. Two winners from play-in games, namely Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica vs. Honduras, to be held on March 23, will also participate in the tournament.
In Group C, the United States finds themselves alongside Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia. Uruguay, the highest-ranked unseeded team that the United States could face in the first round, adds an extra layer of competition to the group.
Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. coach, acknowledged the challenge but emphasized the importance of aiming for the top spot. “You know what’s lurking around the corner in Group D, most likely, so you want to try to finish first,” Berhalter said. “Brazil is one of the favorites to win the tournament, so it’s going to be a real challenge in that next round, so you’d like to play them in the semi-finals.”
The 2016 edition saw Chile defeating Argentina in the final on penalties
With home-field advantage and a roster of promising young talents, the United States will strive to build upon their top-four finish in the 2016 Copa America, which was hosted in the U.S. The 2016 edition saw Chile defeating Argentina in the final via penalty kicks.
In Group B, Mexico will face opponents Ecuador, Venezuela, and Jamaica. Mexico aims to improve its recent Copa America performance after a disappointing 7-0 loss to Chile in the 2016 tournament.
The tournament will commence with a group stage from June 20 to July 2, followed by the quarter-finals from July 4-6, semi-finals on July 9-10, a third-place match on July 13, and the final on July 14.
Matches will be hosted at 14 venues
The Copa America matches will be hosted at 14 venues across the United States, with the semi-finals taking place at MetLife Stadium and Bank of America Stadium, and the final scheduled at Hard Rock Stadium. Seven of these venues will also be used for the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament will kick off on June 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, featuring a match between Argentina and the winner of Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago.
In the previous Copa America in 2021, Argentina emerged victorious by defeating host nation Brazil 1-0 in the final.
Copa America 2024 draw
- Group A: Argentina, Peru, Chile, winner of Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago
- Group B: Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Jamaica
- Group C: United States, Uruguay, Panama, Bolivia
- Group D: Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, winner of Costa Rica vs. Honduras
