It will be another rollercoaster as the world welcomes the 48th edition of a sensational continental soccer fiesta – the 2024 Copa America.
The American quadrennial men’s football competition will be co-organized by North and Central America football governing body CONCACAF and South America football governing body CONMEBOL.
The group stage draw for the continental showpiece has been confirmed with some interesting fixtures lined up for football enthusiasts.
Group A
Argentina
Peru
Chile
Canada
All eyes will be on world champions Argentina, who will be hoping to defend the title they won in 2021, seeing fierce continental rivals Brazil.
It will be the Albiceleste’s first major tournament after the 2022 World Cup triumph and a big test of their continental dominance.
They have been handed a relatively easy group-stage opener against Canada.
However, their next two fixtures are no easy tie with the world champions set to test their depth against Chile and Peru.
Argentina are tipped to qualify from the group alongside Chile, who won the competition back-to-back, defeating Argentina in the final in 2015 and 2016.
Argentina will open the tournament against Canada on June 20 before taking on Chile on June 25 and Peru on June 29.
Group B
Mexico
Ecuador
Venezuela
Jamaica
Mexico and Ecuador are the two continental heavyweights in Group B and are tipped to book qualification to the knockout of competition from the group.
However, a recent resurgent performance by Venezuela in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers has cast some shadows of unpredictability in the group.
Jamaica are also not push-overs and can still pull a surprise in the group, battling for a knockout slot. They have reportedly recruited top Premier League stars like Leon Bailey of Aston Villa and Michael Antonio of West Ham into their ranks.
Mexico will kick off proceedings in the group against Jamaica on June 22 before taking on Venezuela on June 26 and Ecuador on June 30.
Group C
USA
Uruguay
Panama
Bolivia
The USA, who are the tournament’s hosts, are in Group C alongside South American giants Uruguay, including Panama and Bolivia.
USA and Uruguay are favorites to qualify from the group against Panama.and Bolivia, who are obviously continental minnows.
The Gregg Berhalter-led team will kick off their campaign against Bolivia on June 23 before taking on Panama and Uruguay on June 27 and July 1, respectively.
Group D
Brazil
Colombia
Paraguay
Costa Rica
Group D is regarded as the toughest of the groups and can be rightly termed as the ‘Group of Death.’
While Paraguay can easily be written off based on antecedents, it is worthy of note the ‘White and red’ have been carefully structured with about half of the squad made up of experienced players, plying their trade in top leagues in Europe.
With the crop of top stars recruited into their ranks, they are expected to stage a formidable challenge to Brazil and Colombia in the tussle for a knockout slot.
Nevertheless, nine-time champions Brazil are expected to qualify for the next round of the competition, including Colombia who are the next most formidable squad in the group.
Brazil will kick off their campaign in the group against Costa Rica on June 24 before taking on Paraguay and Colombia on June 28 and July 2, respectively.
When will the 2024 Copa America kick-off?
The 2024 Copa America will kick off on June 20 with Argentina taking on Canada.
How to watch the 2024 Copa America
2024 Copa America group stage and knockout matches will be streamed live on various online streaming platforms such as beIN SPORTS, including TNT Sports.
