The group stage draw for the 2024 Copa America was held on Thursday in Miami, with the United States – the tournament’s hosts – set to face Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia in Group C. The tournament will be held from June 20 to July 14, 2024. It will unfold across 10 states.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina join Peru, Chile, Canada or Trinidad and Tobago (depending on which team qualifies) in Group A.
The second group consists of Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Jamaica. Group D includes Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica or Honduras (depending on the qualifying team).
The two qualifying playoff games, featuring Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica vs. Honduras, will be played March 23 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The ten member countries of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) did not have to undergo a qualification process for the tournament. However, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) had to reserve its place. Last week, the United States, Jamaica, Mexico and Panama confirmed their places in the tournament.
What is the format of the 2024 Copa America?
Teams in each group of four will play each other once.
The top two teams in those groups qualify for the quarter-finals, where the winner of each group will face the runner-up. The four winners of those matches will advance to the semi-finals, and the winners of the two semi-final matches will meet in the final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 14.
Draws are permitted in the group stage as the result after 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) will be final. In the knockout stage, matches drawn after 90 minutes will enter a 30-minute extra time period. If the score remains tied after 30 minutes of extra time, a penalty shootout will be awarded to determine the winning team.
Three of the last seven Copa America finals have been settled on penalties.
Main storylines in the group stage
The confrontation between the United States and Uruguay in Arrowhead on July 1 will be the final test for the forces of the United States of America. How will they perform against the Copa America favorite team? Will they trouble the CONMEBOL giants inside Arrowhead Stadium, one of the rowdiest stadiums in the world, days before the Fourth of July?
Then there’s Argentina versus Chile at MetLife Stadium on June 25, a poetic rematch between two Copa America rivals. The last time these two teams played here, Messi retired from the national team after falling to Chile for the second year in a row. This match could give Messi a short story ending to close one of the least favorite chapters of his career. — Melanie Ansidi, football writer
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