Four things you need to know about the Copa America

THE Euro 2024 football championships are already underway in Germany, and soon another major continental competition – the Copa America – will begin too.

The Copa America is more than a century old, and this year’s edition – to be held in 14 cities across the United States from Jun 21 to Jul 15 (Singapore time) – will see 16 teams battle it out for the right to be crowned the best in the Americas. The grand final will be played at the 65,000-seater Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in Florida. 

Ahead of the big kickoff in Atlanta, BT Weekend tells you all you need to know about the 48th edition of this tournament and what to look out for.

Argentina, led by their charismatic captain Lionel Messi, were unstoppable in 2021 as they hoist the trophy in Rio de Janeiro after beating arch-rivals Brazil on their own patch.

The 1-0 victory – the lone goal was scored by Angel di Maria – gave La Albiceleste (Argentina’s nickname) a record-equalling 15th Copa America title and the first since 1993. It was also Messi’s first senior international trophy.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who was still at Barcelona that year, finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer with four goals. He was also named the joint best player alongside Brazil’s Neymar.

You cannot look beyond the two biggest giants in South America – Argentina and Brazil. Argentina are the hot favourites among the bookmakers to successfully defend their crown, and it is hard to bet against them. 

Messi, who turns 37 in a week’s time, will be eager to add another major trophy to his cabinet, having already won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. He will hope to do so with a team that is overflowing with world-class talent such as Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Alejandro Garnacho.

Brazil, nine-time winners of the Copa America, boast one of the most exciting squads this year under coach Dorival Junior, with the likes of Vinicius Jr, Eder Militao, hotshot teenager Endrick and Rodrygo.

Neymar, who has never won the Copa America with his country, will have to wait another four years to get his chance after the striker has been sidelined since October due to a knee injury.

Apart from Argentina and Brazil, the main dark horses that could reach the semi-finals or beyond are Colombia (currently on a 22-match unbeaten streak) and 15-time Copa America winners Uruguay.

Canada are playing at their first Copa America and not many expect them to advance past the group stage, as they are in a difficult section with Argentina, Chile and Peru. Only the top two teams in each group will progress to the quarter-finals.

The Canadians proved last week, however, that they will not be pushovers after a gritty goalless draw with France in Bordeaux. The French threw everything they had at goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau but could not find a way past a resolute defence.

Venezuela could also be one of the teams to spring an upset or two, if their recent results are any indication. They only lost 2-1 to Italy and defeated Chile and Paraguay. They also drew 1-1 with mighty Brazil in a 2026 World Cup qualifier last October.

With Neymar out of the picture for the foreseeable future, it is up to Vinicius Jr to lead the attack for Brazil. The 23-year-old Real Madrid forward scored 15 times in the Spanish league last season, and also netted regularly in the Champions League, including in the final against Borussia Dortmund.

As the host nation, the US are also eager to go deep in the competition, and they will be relying on Christian Pulisic to continue his good form. The 25-year-old AC Milan midfielder scored 12 goals and had nine assists. Earlier this week in Orlando, he made headlines when he scored the equalising goal against Brazil in a 1-1 draw.

Those following the fortunes of Mexico should keep an eye on Santiago Gimenez. The 23-year-old, who plays for Feyenoord in the Dutch league, scored 23 goals and had six assists as he led his club to a second-placed finish behind PSV Eindhoven.

There is some talk already that he is the next Robin van Persie and some of Europe’s biggest clubs including Arsenal are closely monitoring his progress with a view to signing him this summer.