The U.S. has gained favor in the last few years for hosting major international soccer events, and the upcoming Copa America will add to that growing list.
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After three years since hosting the Centenario of the world’s oldest national team competition, in which Chile was crowned as two-time champions, the land of stars and stripes will once again be the venue for another edition of Copa America that promises to be “memorable.”
“The Last Dance” for Lionel Messi, the crowning of Vinicius Jr. as the new star of Brazilian soccer, the rise of a resurgent United States, and a generational change in Mexico, among other stories, make this Copa America highly attractive.
“We are happy to officially announce the opening and final dates of the Conmebol Copa America 2024, a new edition in which we invite everyone to celebrate and feel the passion that this competition makes us experience,” said Conmebol president Alejandro Domínguez after the news was released back in 2023.
Copa America will feature 16 participants, 10 teams from CONMEBOL: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela; and six invited teams from CONCACAF: United States (host), Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Panama.
Copa America will kick off on June 20 at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta with the opening match between defending champion Argentina and Canada, covering a total of 14 cities that will welcome thousands of fans, and conclude the “grand fiesta” at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which will host the final on July 14.
For the United States, this Copa America will serve as a prelude to the new Club World Cup in 2025 and the World Cup in 2026, organized together with Canada and Mexico; a country that used to be less focused on soccer, where now “soccer” is increasingly common in the vocabulary of the American fan. Additionally, Los Angeles, California will host the Summer Olympics in 2028, capturing the world’s attention in the recent decade as the host everyone wants to visit.
