The quartets are set for the 2024 Copa America group stage, but who will emerge victorious next summer? CONMEBOL’s ten national teams are being joined by six of the top sides from the northern half of the Americas, with continental superiority on the line.
No guest team has ever won the Copa América before. So, if a North American, Central American or Caribbean side takes home the trophy it would be a historic first. It would also certainly be a dark day for fútbol fans in South America.
The four groups for the 2024 tournament are headed by Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and the USA. Historically, these are the top two nations from CONMEBOL and Concacaf, respectively. Three of the four groups feature a past World Cup winner, while three also contain multiple Copa América champions.
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2024 Copa America Group Stage
Let’s break down each group, and guess who will escape to the knockout round.
Group A
Team (Copa America Titles)
Argentina (15)
Peru (2)
Chile (2)
Canada
The Argentines are reigning Copa and World Cup champions. They also currently sit atop the CONMBEOL 2026 World Cup qualifying table. Right now, it seems unlikely anybody can knock Messi and company off their mountaintop. Chile and Peru are past champions, but both are languishing at the bottom end of the World Cup qualifying standings. If either can light a spark, they could be dangerous dark horses in the tournament. Canada did well to reach the World Cup for the first time in 36 years in Qatar two summers ago. Yet, the side now under the leadership of Jesse Marsch faces an uphill battle to qualify based on the other sides’ talent.
Prediction:
1. Argentina
2. Peru
Group B
Team (Copa America Titles)
Mexico
Ecuador
Venezuela
Jamaica
This is the only group without a past Copa América champion. However, it should be noted that Mexico is, to date, the only non-CONMEBOL team to ever make it to a final. Mexico has finished runner-up twice, and third place three times in the past. Ecuador and Venezuela are the only two South American sides to never have played in the Copa final. Mexico should easily get out of group B, and after that, it could be a dogfight. I’m going all-in with a full Concacaf homer pick here – the Reggae Boyz will join Mexico in the quarterfinals.
Prediction:
1. Mexico
2. Jamaica
Group C
Team (Copa America Titles)
USA
Uruguay (15)
Panama
Bolivia (1)
The Americans have played in four previous editions of the Copa América – with the best results coming in 1995 and 2016 as fourth-place finishers. The USMNT is coming off a 2022-23 Nations League win and is feeling a bit more confident at the moment. Uruguay has 15 Copa titles – tied for the most ever – but hasn’t won it since 2011. Still, Panama and Bolivia are likely to be the ones on the outside looking in when the group stage wraps. Uruguay and USA go 1 and 2, with the South Americans taking the top spot via goal difference.
Prediction:
1. Uruguay
2. USA
Group D
Team (Copa America Titles)
Brazil (9)
Colombia (1)
Paraguay (2)
Costa Rica
Brazil is not riding high at the moment, sitting 6th in World Cup qualifying, and star Neymar is out with a serious knee injury. But you can never count out the nine-time Copa champions. Even at Brazil’s worst, the squad brims with talent. Many moons ago, Colombia and Paraguay became South American champions, but Colombia is looking like the stronger side at the moment. And while Costa Rica has proven often to be a tough side in Concacaf play, it has struggled in the Copa America. In five previous appearances, Costa Rica has only escaped the group stage twice. Group D will likely finish in the order it was drawn.
Prediction:
1. Brazil
2. Colombia
Copa América 2024 kicks off on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Atlanta with Argentina facing Canada. Coverage of the competition is available on FOX’s channels, including FOX, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2. The Copa America TV schedule provides game time and viewing information for those in the United States.
