Copa América is right around the corner – read up on it here!
Copa América 2024 Preview
The 2024 Copa América is poised to be a thrilling tournament, marking a significant moment in the history of the competition. Held in the United States from June 21st to July 14th, the event promises to bring together some of the best football talent from across the Americas, combining intense competition with a celebration of the sport. The competition was also held in the USA in 2016, and this year’s Copa América odds is looking interesting.
The tournament follows a format that has been carefully designed to maximise competition and excitement. The tournament features 16 teams: 10 from the South American Football Confederation and 6 invited teams from the North, Central American, and Caribbean Football Confederation. The draws for the group stages were made some time ago so it has been possible for teams to plan out their matches and prepare accordingly. The last tournament was won by Argentina, with Lionel Messi leading his country to his first international trophy, which he quickly followed up with the the biggest prize of all.
Group Stages
The teams are divided into four groups of four teams each. The matches follow a round-robin format, where each team plays every other team in its group once. Points are awarded based on match results: three points for a win, one point for a draw, and none for a loss. The top two teams from each group, along with the best two third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stages.
The groups are as follows:
Group A
Argentina
Peru
Chile
Canada
Group B
Mexico
Ecuador
Venezuela
Jamaica
Group C
USA
Uruguay
Panama
Bolivia
Group D
Brazil
Colombia
Paraguay
Costa Rica
Knockout Stage
The knockout stage includes the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. It is a single-elimination format, where teams compete in one-off matches. If a match is tied at the end of regular time, it proceeds to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout to determine the winner. The tournament concludes with the grand final, where the champions are crowned.
Odds for the tournament
Argentina 2.75
Brazil 3.25
Uruguay 6.00
Mexico 12.00
Colombia 13.00
USA 13.00
Argentina are favourites to win consecutive tournaments, with Lionel Messi once again leading his country. They are followed closely by the other giants of South American football, Brazil and Uruguay. Next up are three teams who are very close in the market, Mexico, Colombia and USA.
The top goalscorer market is headed by Lionel Messi again, as one might expect, at a price of 4.00. He has company though at the top of the betting with Vinícius Júnior currently at 5.00 and Darwin Núñez at 6.00. Other players worth looking at are Lautaro Martinez (8.00) and Julian Alvarez (9.00).
Best Teams
Argentina
Argentina enters the 2024 Copa América as one of the top contenders. The reigning world champions boast a squad brimming with talent and experience. Led by Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s team features a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging stars. Key players like Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Lautaro Martínez are expected to play pivotal roles. Messi, in particular, remains a talismanic figure, capable of turning games with his brilliance. Di Maria has announced he will retire from International football after this competition.
Brazil
Brazil, historically one of the most successful teams in Copa América history, is another favourite. Under the management of Dorival Junior, Brazil has continued to showcase its traditional attacking flair coupled with defensive solidity. Key players are excluded including Neymar, who is injured, and Casemiro, who has been out of form this season. Their importance in the squad has been replaced by rising stars like Real Madrid duo Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo and Endrick. The Selecao’s depth and quality make them formidable opponents.
Uruguay
Uruguay, with its rich footballing history, is always a team to watch in South American competitions. Managed by iconic coach Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay combines rugged defence with potent attacking options. Luis Suárez, though in the twilight of his career, still offers an option up front, where he is joined by Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez amongst others. Players like Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez, Rodrigo Bentancour and Ronald Araujo are all highly experienced and offer a lot to this squad.
Mexico
Mexico brings its own pedigree and talent to the tournament. Known for their passionate play and strong team cohesion, Mexico has consistently performed well on the international stage. Key players such as Edson Alvarez and Luis Chavez will be crucial to their success. Their ability to compete against South American giants makes them a dark horse in the tournament.
Best Players
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Even at 36, Lionel Messi remains one of the best players in the world. His vision, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability make him a constant threat. Messi’s leadership and experience will be invaluable for Argentina as they seek to add another Copa América title to their collection.
Federico Valverde (Uruguay)
Federico Valverde has emerged as a key player for both Real Madrid and Uruguay. His versatility, work rate, and tactical intelligence make him a central figure in midfield. Valverde’s ability to drive the team forward and contribute both defensively and offensively will be crucial for Uruguay.
Edson Alvarez (Mexico)
Edson Alvarez, known for his pace and dribbling skills, is a standout player for Mexico. His ability to break down defences and score goals will be essential for Mexico’s campaign. Feyenoord forward Santi Giménez has been one of their more recent breakout stars.
Vini Junior (Brazil)
One of the world’s most in form players and one who has been key to the success of Real Madrid this season. His trickery, creativity and goalscoring has pushed his club to success and he will be hoping to carry that form into this tournament and torment any defenders he comes up against.
Predictions
Initial predictions focus on who will win each group and it is very hard to look past Argentina in Group A with Chile likely to finish in second spot. Group B is perhaps a bit more open with Mexico and Ecuador likely to be fighting it out for the top spot. Group C could be an interesting battle between Uruguay and the USA with the former likely to have the edge. Group D will surely be won by Brazil but Colombia and Paraguay will both hope that they can make an impression at the early stage.
Things really start to get interesting in the knockout stages and, if we base our assumptions on the above comments, the chances are that we will end up with a final four of Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay and Brazil. The semi-finals would then be Argentina against Mexico and Brazil versus Uruguay so the chance of an Argentina v Brazil final are high, but perhaps Uruguay can spoil the party.
Argentina
Argentina is expected to perform well, leveraging their experience and talent. With Messi potentially playing in his last Copa América, the team will be highly motivated to send their talisman off with another trophy. Argentina’s balanced squad and depth give them a strong chance of reaching the final stages and possibly winning the tournament.
Brazil
Brazil is likely to be one of the top performers, given their squad depth and quality. The combination of experienced players and emerging stars makes them a well-rounded team. If their stars can stay fit and in form, Brazil has a strong chance of lifting the trophy. Their tactical flexibility and attacking prowess make them favourites to reach the final.
Uruguay
Uruguay’s mix of experienced campaigners and young talents positions them as a formidable contender. If Suárez and Núñez can deliver their best and Valverde continues his impressive form, Uruguay can make a deep run in the tournament. Their resilience and fighting spirit often make them a tough team to beat in knockout stages.
Mexico
Mexico has the potential to cause upsets and go far in the tournament. Their competitive spirit and tactical discipline, combined with the attacking threat of their forward players, make them a dangerous opponent. They are capable of reaching the semi-finals and, with some luck, could even challenge for the title.
Dark Horses
Among the other teams, Colombia and the United States could be dark horses. Colombia, with players like Luis Díaz, has the ability to surprise top teams. The United States, playing on home soil, will have strong support and a youthful, energetic squad that could make an unexpectedly deep run.
Conclusion
The 2024 Copa América promises to be a captivating tournament, showcasing the best of football from the Americas. With a competitive format, top-tier teams, and world-class players, fans can look forward to close to a month of thrilling matches and memorable moments. Argentina and Brazil are the standout favourites, but Uruguay and Mexico have the potential to challenge them. Dark horses like Colombia and the United States add an element of unpredictability, ensuring that the road to the final will be filled with excitement and drama. As the teams battle it out across the United States, the 2024 Copa América will undoubtedly reaffirm its status as one of the premier football competitions in the world.
Odds might have changed since the writing and publication of this article.
Last updated: 20.06.2024
