Copa America: Examining the favorites and top sleepers
Argentina forward Lionel Messi.
Copa America 2024 will kick off June 20 with defending champion Argentina taking on Canada. "La Seleccion," led by international super star Lionel Messi, are heavy favorites to repeat along with perennial stalwarts Brazil.
However, this year's edition has an expanded field, including six CONCACAF nations joining the fray, which means potential for more chaos.
The focus of the tournament will be on two things, a potential Argentina-Brazil finals rematch and how far can the U.S. go on it's own soil.
No team outside South America has ever won the tournament and that isn't expected to change this year, but here's why a finals rematch isn't guaranteed and which teams may take advantage.
Argentina
Reining champions from the 2021 edition and defending World Cup champions from 2022, Argentina returns most of its incredibly strong squad, including captain Lionel Messi.
It's hard to find many flaws in what is clearly the country's first golden generation since Diego Maradona and the 1986 World Cup champions, but their star veterans are not getting any younger, especially Messi and Angel di Maria, who said this would be his last Copa America.
Young stars Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez will carry the torch but it appears only major injuries or bad luck can keep this mix of youth and experience from lifting the trophy again.
Brazil
Even with the second best odds to win the tournament, according to Fox Sports, this Brazil squad appears to be the weakest it's been in years - drawing criticism from team legend Ronaldinho on social media.
After a lackluster 1-1 draw with the U.S. in a pre-tournament friendly, manager Dorival Junior needs to find the right balance in midfield to compliment forwards Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr. and young star Endrick.
They have the speed and fire power, but defensive prowess and command of the center are weak spots in the formation. If Brazil wants to reclaim the title for the first time since 2019, it may need the opposition to fold under the pressure.
Uruguay and Colombia
Essentially playing with house money, Uruguay and Colombia could go under the radar and finally earn their shot at a Copa America title.
However, despite these squads lacking much pressure to perform, it is still very much now or never because it doesn't appear they will have this kind of talent or this good a shot at the final any time soon.
Uruguay will be led by veteran Luis Suarez and young Liverpool star Darwin Nunez, but the rest of "La Celeste" still have much to prove on this big of a stage.
Colombia thrashed the U.S. 5-1 in a pre-tournament friendly, displaying an all-around balance in attack and defense. It will take a major replication of that effort to defeat Argentina and reach the final.
Both squads look to be semifinal locks, but whether they can topple the favorites to reach the final or wear the crown will be must-watch television.
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