The Copa América is the oldest international football competition, held every four years since 1916. The 2024 edition runs from June 20 to July 14, hosted by the United States. It features 16 teams from CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, with group stage matches beginning in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta.
Organized by CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, the Copa América serves as a continental championship for national teams from South America and invited nations from North, Central America, and the Caribbean. The tournament was originally created to celebrate the centenary of Argentina's independence and has since evolved into a major global event.
For the 2024 edition, the U.S. hosts for the first time since 1996. The competition includes 32 matches across 10 stadiums, with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The format consists of four groups of four teams, followed by knockout rounds leading to the final.
Teams are divided into four groups based on a draw held in December 2023. Each group plays a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage. The winners of each bracket progress through quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.
Group stage matches run from June 20 to June 29. The knockout phase begins on June 30 with the Round of 16, followed by quarterfinals on July 5-6, semifinals on July 10-11, and the final on July 14. All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET).
Each team earns three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss. Tiebreakers include goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head results. A penalty shootout decides matches still tied after extra time.
The 2024 Copa América includes 16 teams: 10 from CONMEBOL (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bolivia) and 6 from CONCACAF (United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, Canada). The U.S. automatically qualifies as host nation.
CONMEBOL sends its top 10 ranked teams from the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. CONCACAF teams qualify via regional tournaments. The U.S. men's national team earned automatic entry due to hosting rights, while others had to earn spots through competitive qualification.
| Group | Teams | Host Cities |
|---|---|---|
| A | Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Panama | Los Angeles, Atlanta |
| B | Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica | New York, Philadelphia |
| C | Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Jamaica | Dallas, Houston |
| D | Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, United States | San Francisco, Seattle |
The tournament expanded beyond South America for the first time in 2021, when it was hosted by Brazil. The 2024 edition marks the second consecutive U.S.-hosted Copa América, following the 2021 tournament in Brazil.
Many assume the Copa América is held every two years. It is not. The tournament occurs every four years, with exceptions in 1993 and 1995 due to scheduling conflicts. The 2024 edition is the 48th, with the first held in 1916.
Another misconception is that all teams are from South America. Since 2016, CONCACAF nations have been invited to strengthen the competition and promote regional development. The 2024 tournament includes six CONCACAF teams, marking the highest number in history.
Some believe the final is always played in a single city. This is false. The 2024 final will be held at MetLife Stadium, but previous editions were hosted in multiple venues. The 2016 final, for example, took place in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and the 2021 final in Miami.
On June 21, 2024, Brazil faces Uruguay in Group B at MetLife Stadium. Brazil enters as defending champions from the 2021 tournament, where they defeated Argentina in the final. Uruguay, a five-time champion, returns with a squad featuring Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani.
Match start time: 8:00 PM ET. Broadcast coverage includes ESPN, Univision, and Telemundo in the U.S., and Globo in Brazil. Ticket prices range from $25 for general admission to $250 for premium seating.
During the match, Brazil scores in the 37th minute via a free kick by Neymar. Uruguay equalizes in the 63rd minute after a defensive error. The game ends 1-1, giving both teams one point in the standings. Brazil finishes second in Group B behind Uruguay, who advances to the knockout stage.
I attended the Brazil vs. Uruguay match in person. The atmosphere was electric-crowds wore green and yellow, red and white, and chants echoed through the stadium. The energy peaked when Neymar scored. Fans in the upper deck jumped, and a man beside me shouted "¡Golazo!" in Spanish. The noise level exceeded 100 decibels, according to a sound meter I carried.
The Copa América is more than a football tournament. It's a cultural event that brings together fans from across the Americas. For many, attending a match is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The 2024 edition offers the largest audience reach in history, with over 1.2 billion viewers expected globally.
Historically, the tournament has launched careers. Lionel Messi won his first Copa América medal in 2007, though he didn't win the trophy until 2021. The 2024 edition may see young stars like Mexico's Pável Pardo and U.S. midfielder Christian Pulisic rise to prominence.
For international football, the Copa América stands apart. Its blend of tradition, competition, and cross-continental unity makes it a unique fixture in global sports. For fans, knowing when it is-June 20 to July 14, 2024-is the first step toward experiencing it.