From Argentina to Brazil: Top Copa America 2024 Contenders – All You Need To Know

from argentina to brazil: top copa america 2024 contenders – all you need to know

The South American continental showpiece is just 4 months away as Argentina and Lionel Messi look to defend their Copa America title in the United States of America. 16 teams will be competing this time around not only from the CONMEBOL region but also from the North American CONCACAF region as well. The tournament will get underway from June 20 and it will go on till July 14. 14 venues have been shortlisted all over USA and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida will host the summit clash.

Here’s a look at the top contenders of the 48th edition of the Copa America:-

ARGENTINA

The top contender of the tournament has to the defending champions of the previous edition. Argentina since winning the Copa in Brazil back in 2021, they didn’t look behind. They went onto beat Italy in the Finalissima Final and emerged victorious in the FIFA World Cup beating France in the final in dramatic fashion. In the last four and a half years, Argentina have lost only three matches. Under the tutelage of Lionel Scaloni, La Albiceleste have transformed and looks almost unbeatable. With the kind of new stars coming up the ranks, be it Julian Alvarez or an Enzo Fernandez and even Alexis Macallister, the South Americans look flawless. On paper they have a set team and Lionel Messi always in mojo whenever he puts on the national jersey, it would be difficult to have an upper hand over the Argentines. They have lost only one match in 2023 against the Uruguayans and have won 9 out of their 10 matches. Quite obviously they are the best team in the world and betting on this team won’t be a big brainer. In the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the Leo Messi-led side lead the standings with 15 points from 6 matches. The defending World Champions are placed in Group A of the Copa with the likes of Chile and Peru. Either Canada or Trinidad & Tobago from CONCACAF will also join the group.

URUGUAY

Just like the Argentines, the Uruguayans have won the Copa America for a record 15 times. Since the 2010 World Cup, Uruguay grew in numbers and won the South American showpiece in 2011. But post 2011, the South Americans didn’t quite manage to make a mark at the World Cups or in the Copa America. But the new age Uruguay seem to be a team to beat and they should be right after Argentina as one of the top contenders to look forward to. In the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, they are behind Argentina at 2nd with 13 points and La Celeste have beaten both Argentina and Brazil in recent times. From defense to midfield they have a strong team and lot will be expected from Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez as they are the current faces of the new age Uruguay. Just like Messi, Luis Suarez possibly will be playing his last Copa as he is in the last years of his footballing career. The Uruguayans are placed in Group C with the likes of USA, Panama and Bolivia.

BRAZIL

The Selecaos after winning the 2019 Copa America were never the same before. There has been a big dip in their performance and it is evident more in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. They were the favorites in the 2021 Copa America edition but they lost to their arch-rivals Argentina 1-0 in the final. They bowed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on penalties against Croatia after literally giving away the match to their European counterparts. In the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the Brazilian are off to a worst possible start and are currently ranked 6th gaining only 7 points from their first 6 matches. They should be among the top 7 teams to be in contention for the USA World Cup. Even though things are not going in their way but still they have the star power to topple any team. Only thing they need to do is to have a positive approach and work on their tactics. If they manage to tick the right boxes they can once again give a tough time to their opponents. They are placed in Group D with Colombia and Paraguay. Either Costa Rica or Honduras will also join them in the Copa group stage from the North American region.

COLOMBIA

Colombia in recent times have been playing really well and are placed 3rd in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers with 13 points. Los Cafeteros remained unbeaten throughout the 2023 calendar year and are a serious contender to give Brazil and Argentina a tough time. They reached the semis in the last edition and pushed Lionel Messi and co to the limit. They are capable of doing it again and with the likes of Luis Diaz in the fray, Colombia will be not be an easy nut to crack.

USA

The final contender would be hosts USA. The United States have their new age footballers to look forward to post the era of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. USA will be led by their talisman, Christian Pulisic. They would be having Timothy Weah in attack as well and the impressive Weston McKennie in the midfield. DeAndre Yedlin, Sergino Dest, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson to look after the defensive department. The team look solid and the South American teams should keep it in mind.