Top 10 Teams & Star Players Of Copa America 2024. Copa America which kicks off on June 20, with 16 participating countries, is one of the most anticipated tournaments in Latin America. 32 games will be vying for the prestigious cup in matches played across 14 cities in the host nation – United States.
Argentina is set to play Copa America 2024 opening match against debutant Canada. The Canadian team qualified by defeating Trinidad and Tobago in March 2024. According to Copa America, Canada is the eighth Concacaf team to participate in the world’s oldest national team tournament, after Costa Rica, the US, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, and Panama.
To keep up with the demands of football fans and enthusiasts around the world, Copa America has launched an online store for exclusive tournament-branded products.
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Here’s our pick of the top 10 teams and their star players:
Argentina
Argentina is the 2021 Copa America defending champion, it won the final, held at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium, against Brazil 1-0. Argentina is the second-most successful country at the Copa America with 14 victories, only second to Uruguay’s all-time total of 15 wins.
Lionel Messi is the captain of the Argentine team. He said Argentina is always favorite. Messi believes Copa America 2024 is going to be a very eventful tournament because national teams are becoming better and better. He added that Argentina is the best because it won the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022. Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni has also reeled in Angel Di Maria.
Brazil
Brazil is the 2019 champions, but lost to Argentina in 2021, and was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Brazil has won Copa America nine times, but currently ranks 6th in the CONMEBOL standings for 2026 World Cup qualifying.
Vinicius Jr, who plays for Real Madrid, is the main star in the Brazilian team and there’s also the teenager Endrick, whom coach Dorival Junior hinted could be the possible starter for the tournament. The 17-year-old became a beloved player after 81 matches and 21 goals.
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Uruguay
Uruguay is one of the favorites in Copa America 2024. There’s a high possibility that Uruguay, member of Group C, could come up as champions in this tournament.
The team is bursting with young players who are the driving force. Moreover, Uruguay boasts star players like Federico Valverde, and Darwin Nunez. Uruguay won its last Copa America title in 2011.
Colombia
Colombia will be playing in Group D with emerging talents and the right mix of seasoned footballers that gives the team the star power. Luiz Diaz is the energetic winger known for his attack style and creating chances for the team.
And James Rodriguez can put the opponent players offguard with his play. However, Colombia hasn’t won Copa America in 23 years. In Copa America 2021, Colombia succumbed to Argentina in the semi-finals.
Mexico
After a disastrous performance at the FIFA World Cup 2022, Mexico is determined to show the world it is a team to be reckoned with. It should be noted that Mexico had dominated CONCACAF for years. Jaime Lozano, the coach of the Mexican team, has given young players the chance to spotlight their country.
He said its yet to be seen how quickly the new players adapt to the system. Mexico will play its first match against Jamaica on June 22. Some of the players to watch out for in the Mexican team include Edson Alvarez and Santiago Gimenez.
Chile
Chile is one of the oldest teams in the tournament, going back to the inaugural South American Championship in 1916. It won the Copa America title twice in 2015 and 2016. Chile has reached the quarterfinals in every Copa America tournament since 2004.
Ricardo Gareca, who led Peru to third-place and runners-up finish in 2015 and 2019, is taking Chile forward. One of the players to look out for in the Chile side is Eduardo Vargas. He has scored 14 goals for the team in Copa America.
Eucador
Eucador is ranked 7th in Copa America championships. In Copa America 2021, Eucador made it to the knockout round. Some of the players to look out for in the Eucador team are Enner Valencia, Piero Hincapie, Moises Caicedo, and Willian Pacho, among others.
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USA
Team USA was ranked 11th in FIFA. US is also the host for the 48th edition of Copa America. It is not a member of CONMEBOL but has been regularly invited as a guest country since 1993. The United States are the second-most regular guest, with Mexico being the first.
Christian Pulisic plays for team USA. He put the US through to the knockout stage at the 2022 FIFA World Cup when he scored against Iran.
Paraguay
Paraguay is regarded for its players who bring great quality to the game. Daniel Garnero, Paraguay coach, is set to bring in much-needed magic into the team. This will be his first major tournament as Paraguay coach.
Miguel Almiron is Paraguay’s most experienced player. He has played in three Copa America tournaments 2016, 2019 and 2021, competed in 10 matches and scored one goal. Julio Enciso is another celebrated player.
Venezuela
The Venezuela team has been doing well and in recent years, they have had a line-up of young promising players. Fernando Batista is leading Venezuela as coach with focus on team improvement and setting realistic goals. This will be Batista’s first CONMEBOL Copa America. He believes Venezula has to keep improving, regardless of group stage opponents and think themselves as their main rival.
Salomon Rondon will finally play for his home side after he couldn’t do so in 2021 because of COVID-19 lockdown and regulations. Kervin Andrade is also set to make difference to the side.