The Euros are in full swing and it is time for the Copa America to join the 2024 festival of football.
This will be a unique Copa America. The tournament typically features teams from CONMEBOL, has been held in South America, and occasionally involves invited guest nations.
Ecuador was supposed to have hosted the 2024 edition as part of the host rotation policy, but the country declined that invitation in November 2022. Scrambling for a host, CONMEBOL contacted CONCACAF for an expanded tournament in the United States.
This expanded event sees six CONCACAF countries join the ten from CONMEBOL for a 16-team event. This is also ideal for the United States, as this event acts as a warmup for their hosting of the World Cup (along with Canada and Mexico) in 2026.
2024 Copa America Preview
2024 Copa America Odds To Win (BetXchange)
Argentina is the favorite for the 2024 Copa America, with the iconic Lionel Messi looking to add more silverware to his personal collection. Messi will play in the country where he now plays his club football, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at Inter Miami.
Argentina has won 17 of their last 18 games, only dropping a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay since their shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup.
Looking at an outside bet? Try either Colombia, a team with a long unbeaten run, or the USA, as host nations always tend to play well in tournaments.
2024 Copa America: Group Stages
Group A
Argentina is loaded. They have the likes of Julian Alvarez, Lautaur Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul in attacking positions alongside Messi. It is hard to see them struggling in this group, even though they have drawn a Chilean team that has beaten them twice in the last decade. Canada and Peru are making up the numbers, though don’t be shocked to see an athletic Canada side cause a few problems.
Group B
El Tri is in a weird spot. Mexico fell to Brazil and Colombia in warmup matches over the last week, defeats that have continued a worrying trend just two years from their World Cup hosting duties. This squad is in the middle of a revamp, with several younger players making their tournament debuts. That could open the door for Ecuador to sneak the group.
Group C
Uruguay is a 15-time Copa America winner, but they last lifted the trophy in 2011. Marcelo Bielsa is the coach, so expect plenty of attacking verve from players who love to play that way. The USA has the most talented team ever. Most players are in major European leagues at big clubs, and this could finally be the tournament where the ultra-talented Christian Pulisic stamps his name on the world stage.
Group D
Brazil is a little all over the place. They are in sixth place in World Cup qualifying, a shocking position given the talent in the playing squad. Watch out for Colombia. This team is unbeaten in 23 games since 2022 and has all the talent in the world. Their match against Brazil is a must-watch.
