2024 Copa América Preview - Concacaf Edition
6 Concacaf teams are participating in one of the world's prestigious tournaments - can any of them make history?
Pelé, Maradona, O Fenômeno, Messi… Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay… The Maracanã, Estadio Centenario, Estadio Monumental. These are just some of the legends, nations, and venues that have changed the landscape of the beautiful game and cemented South America as one of the centers of the sport.
In this 48th edition of Copa América (first played in 1916), the tradition of inviting teams from outside of the continent, which began in 1993, continues with 6 teams from Concacaf earning their qualification: USA, Mexico, Canada, Panama, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. For the second time, it is being held in the United States. We just wrapped up our countdown of the most memorable performances from Concacaf teams in tournament history you can check out in the Competitions & Tournaments section of the publication.
In this preview, I’ll dive into each Concacaf team participating, highlighting the group they’re in, my expectations for their performance, their stretch goal, players to watch, and some storylines surrounding them in the tournament. Can a Concacaf team take home the trophy for the first time? It is going to be a fantastic showcase of the game in this hemisphere - let’s get into it!
United States
The hosts come into this tournament with a lot of pressure despite nobody expecting them to win it all. Why all the pressure then? This is likely the last chance they have against some of the world’s best in a competitive setting before the 2026 World Cup. It’s hard to know where this team stands. Are they as bad as they looked against Colombia… no. Was the Brazil result against the strongest Seleção… no. They are not as bad as the internet would have you believe but they also aren’t playing at a level that can win this tournament either.
Copa América best finish: 4th place twice (1995 and 2016)
Copa América group: Group C (Uruguay, Panama, Bolivia) - all things considered, the US was drawn into a favorable group to advance to the quarterfinals. They open up against Bolivia (who only have a single win in this competition in the last 25 years) and then a matchup against Concacaf rivals Panama. The US lost their meeting with Panama in last year’s Gold Cup but it was not with the A-team. The final matchup with Uruguay will be their biggest test in a competitive game since the World Cup round-of-16 loss to Holland.
Expectation: Reach the quarterfinal - this is a minimum standard for the US. There is no reason they should finish below Bolivia or Panama. Regardless of whether they win the group, they should advance. My guess is they will finish runner-up in the group. From there, anything can happen in knockout futbol!
Stretch goal: 3rd place finish - this is the ceiling for this team at this tournament and it would be a huge step! The US team has finished 4th place twice so exceeding those finishes would be a massive step forward for the program. If they can get past their likely quarterfinal opponents of Brazil or Colombia, and then fall in the semifinals, they will have a lot to play for in the consolation game!
Player to watch: Timothy Weah - Christian Pulisic is undoubtedly the team’s best and most important player, but I think this team exceeding expectations could come down to the play of Timothy Weah. Despite not starting weekly at Juventus (and playing a lot of wingback) he never seems to miss a beat on the wing for the Stars & Stripes. He has the speed and technical ability to give the best defenders fits and he just needs one chance to change a game! Check out this recent interview he had explaining his excitement for this tournament.
Tournament storylines
Front page: Can Gregg Berhalter keep his seat cool? - If you live in certain corners of US soccer Twitter (X…I guess?) you would assume Gregg has been on the hot seat since taking the job. If you live in reality and look at the facts, I don’t think Gregg’s seat was warm until the 5-1 loss to Colombia a few weeks ago. Matt Crocker and the federation gave him the highest vote of confidence just a year ago - rehiring him when it would have been the easiest decision to move on. If he was on a heated seat in a car with three levels, I think he is at one…just enough that you know it’s on, but not so much to make you sweat. If the US were to get grouped, the internet would beg for a change and the seat warmer may get to a level three.
Back page: Is this a golden generation? - Many fans and pundits alike tip-toe around this feeling of being underwhelmed with this team as they wait for the “golden generation” to have their signature moment. Most of the blame gets heaped onto Berhalter for this (and some of it is warranted) but if things don’t go according to plan this summer, is it time to start asking harder questions about the player pool? There is no doubt that this is a talented group of players… is it head and shoulders above previous teams? Is something missing? We might be able to answer some of these after the tournament!
Mexico
El Tri may not be hosting this tournament, but they will have a home-field atmosphere for every game. This will either be a huge advantage or their undoing. If the team is flying high and playing well, the energy will spur them on. If general play and results are poor, the jeering and whistling will be deafening and could cause further crumbling. They will be without stars we are accustomed to seeing in these types of tournaments (Memo Ochoa, Chucky Lozano, and Raúl Jiménez) and the pressure is on the players and Jimmy Lozano to right the ship!
Copa América best finish: 2nd place twice (1993 and 2001)
Copa América group: Group B (Ecuador, Venezuela, Jamaica) - This is a tricky group! I wish I had better news for El Tri fans but it could be a fight to advance. They open against fellow Concacaf nation, Jamaica (who has had a history of giving them problems). They will need all three points to start! Their second game against Venezuela could decide who advances between those two. Ecuador is my favorite to top the group and Mexico does not want to need a result from that game to advance.
Expectation: Sneak into the quarterfinal - Based on talent, Mexico is the second-best team in this group. They should be able to finish in one of the top two spots and advance. Given the pressure from fans and media, I think they will make it harder than it needs to be but ultimately advance. If they finish second, their reward will likely be defending world champions Argentina.
Stretch goal: Keep a semifinal game competitive - If El Tri gets to a semifinal game (they would need to top their group), they will be tough to beat and probably take that game to extra time. I don’t think they have the quality in attack or enough experience between the posts to get to a Copa América final like they did in 1993 and 2001.
Player to watch: Santiago Giménez - I think Santi’s ceiling is as high as any player in the region - he is a true difference-maker. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to show this for Mexico outside of his 2023 Gold Cup-winning goal. Everyone has been clamoring for him to be the starting striker and it’s been tough getting into the XI over Raúl Jiménez and Henry Martín. For this tournament, neither of those players are in the squad. It is Santi’s job now and the pressure is on him to take the Mexican attack to the next level as he has done with Feyenoord.
Tournament storylines
Front page: Is this Jimmy Lozano’s last chance to secure the job for 2026? - Depending on who you talk to, Jimmy could already be on the way out. Many think that Javier Aguirre is just waiting in the wings while others think another manager is lined up. After their bounce-back performance against Brazil (a 3-2 loss albeit) Lozano has some defending his position with the federation. It’s hard to know what is true and what is hearsay but I think this Copa América is going to decide his future. If they can get to the knockout rounds and play well, I think he stays. If they get grouped, there is a minimal chance he gets the opportunity to coach them at the World Cup.
Back page: Can one of these keepers cement their place as El Tri’s starter for 2026? - Once Memo was left out of the initial squad, it meant one thing… Malagón time… until it wasn’t. He aggravated a muscle injury and was replaced in the team by Carlos Acevedo. Barring a heroic performance from one of the available keepers (Acevedo, Rangel, and Julio González) Luis Malagón will likely remain the #1. If one of the keepers I mentioned helps them make a run, they could grab this job. In the post-Memo era, there is nothing settled in goal.
Canada
It’s only been a month since former Leeds United manager, Jesse Marsch, took the reigns for Canada… not the ideal scenario for a new manager heading into a major tournament. Based on recent interviews, it seems like Marsch and the team are playing with house money. Given the tight timeline to prepare, and the recent issues with the federation, people aren’t expecting much from Canada which could play to their advantage. I’m higher on Canada than most and I think their warmup games against The Netherlands and France will have them ready to go!
Copa América best finish: Debut (qualified in 2001 but withdrew)
Copa América group: Group A (Argentina, Chile, Peru) - Opening the tournament against Argentina is like getting a bucket of cold water dumped on you. Conventional wisdom says you do not want to lose your first game and that is almost always right but I think starting with the hardest game plays right into Marsch’s approach. Regardless of the result, they will be motivated against both Chile and Peru (two teams that are not in good form and several years removed from golden generations).
Expectation: Get a win in the group stage - I would be shocked if Canada didn’t grab all three points against either Chile or Peru. With the high-intensity brand Marsch likes to employ, combined with the firepower in the Canadian attack, they will be scoring goals. As long as they don’t give up too many on the counter, a win is in their future!
Stretch goal: Finish second in the group and advance to the quarterfinals - Maybe I’m delirious and blinded by my love for Concacaf and Jesse Marsch soccer, but I think Canada has a great shot of advancing from their group. The team has a great opportunity to carry momentum from a solid performance here into preparation for co-hosting the 2026 World Cup!
Player to watch: Jonathan David - After back-to-back seasons with 25+ goals for Lille, rumors are swirling that David will make a move to one of the world’s premier clubs. He is arguably the best striker in Concacaf and has been consistently scoring at the highest level. Marsch also named him as the team’s designated penalty taker. He hasn’t scored for Canada since last year and I think he is due for a big tournament!
Tournament storylines
Front page: What will Jesse Marsch-style soccer look like in Copa América? - Google AI told me it takes 2 to 12 hours for the effects of Red Bull to wear off… I assume that is just the drink because if we are talking about their philosophy of football, you can take the man out of Red Bull but you can’t take the “Red Bull way” out of the man. Marsch spent 6 years across New York, Salzburg, and Leipzig and the high-pressing tactics became part of his coaching DNA (which already leaned that way). I am fascinated to see this style at the international level. It doesn’t always lead to success and with limited prep time it’s unclear how the players will adapt. It’s not the same as Marcelo Bielsa’s “El Loco” approach but we’ve seen that a unique style like that can be effective with the right players.
Back page: Can the Canadian Soccer Association get it together in time for 2026? - It has been a tumultuous year or so for Canadian soccer. Between ongoing labor disputes, financial issues, marketing mismanagement, and legal battles, it’s hard to believe they’ll be cohosting a World Cup in two years. These financial struggles even led to the Canadian MLS clubs contributing towards Jesse’s hire and his official title is “MLS Canada men’s national team head coach”. Two years isn’t enough time to get everything fixed and altered, but progress need to be made.
Panama
Los Canaleros come into this tournament off a few uncharacteristic losses (excluding their recent WCQ wins against some smaller nations). They lost to Mexico 3-0 in the Nations League semifinals and then bowed out against Jamaica in the third-place game. None of this discounts the strides the group has made since missing the 2022 World Cup (including finishing second at the 2023 Gold Cup). This group has great chemistry and is tough to beat. This tournament will be a great chance to prepare for 2026 qualifying and they might even surprise a few people!
Copa América best finish: Group stage (2016)
Copa América group: Group C (Uruguay, United States, Bolivia) - Having to open their tournament against Uruguay and the US is not ideal but not unfamiliar territory for this squad. They won’t be easy to break down and that will frustrate opponents. They wrap up against Bolivia who have proved easy to beat when not playing in La Paz at altitude.
Expectation: Finish 3rd in the group - Finishing behind the US and Uruguay would be an expected result and nothing to scoff at. They beat Bolivia in their last Copa América appearance and I think they’ll do the same again here.
Stretch goal: Get a point off of Uruguay or United States - As mentioned, Panama has given Concacaf giants Mexico and the US fits in recent years. I think there is a possibility they could catch Uruguay off guard in the opener or set up in a low block and force the US to break them down (which Gregg’s teams have trouble with). It wouldn’t shock me to see them get a result in either game.
Player to watch: Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla - He was our player to watch at the 2023 Gold Cup and he ended up winning the Golden Ball! It hasn’t been the best year since that mountaintop and he hasn’t made the move to Europe that many expected, but he is still the key to Panama’s midfield. With matchups against top opponents, he will need to be at the top of his game for the team to have moments of possession and stability. If history is an indication, he will step up in these big games!
Tournament storylines
Front page: Are Panama Concacaf’s third-best team? - The debate has long raged between the US vs Mexcio for Concacaf supremacy. Who is the 3rd best team? Recently it was Canada (won 2022 WCQ). Before that, it alternated between Costa Rica and Honduras (with a few teams like Jamaica having good runs). Panama has played their way into the discussion as being the definitive best team behind the US and Mexico. A strong showing in this group, not even advancing, would further cement their claim!
Back page: What will it take for Los Canaleros to take the next step? - I mentioned the teams above that have found themselves among the best in Concacaf. None have been able to take the leap and remain there consistently. Honduras is working through a “lost decade” of sorts since their 2014 World Cup appearance. Costa Rica wasn’t able to develop a generation behind their 2014 heroes. Panama needs to find a way to avoid the same fate as their Central American counterparts.
Jamaica
We’ve discussed federation troubles a bit and Jamaica has those in bunches. Between the ongoing disputes with the women’s national team over unpaid World Cup bonuses to lack of organization and accommodations leading star Leon Bailey to decline his call-up, it’s quite the mess over at JFF. Despite this, they still have a talented squad that finished 3rd at the recent Nations League. They were seconds away from knocking out the US and heading to the final. With arguably the best kits in the tournament, they will look to show they have substance not just style!
Copa América best finish: Group stage twice (2015 and 2016)
Copa América group: Group B (Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela) - In many ways, this group is wide open. I think Ecuador is the favorite and after that, it’s up in the air. Their first matchup with Concacaf foes Mexico could decide their fate in this group. Rounding out their matchups with Ecuador and Venezuela will provide good tests for this team. It’s not impossible to get out of this group!
Expectation: Fight for third place in the group - Mexico and Ecuador have more quality and a more cohesive team than Jamaica. The Reggae Boyz seem to be “almost there” but not quite in these types of tournaments. They will get some results in these games but it likely won’t be enough to get out of the group.
Stretch goal: Get a win in the group stage - They have a history of playing well against Mexico and could catch them sleeping in the opener. If it isn’t Mexico I think their finale with Venezuela could be a chance to get all three points!
Player to watch: Michail Antonio - After coming back from injury with West Ham earlier this year, Antonio has been playing some of the best soccer of his career scoring 5 goals down the stretch. At 34 years old, this could be his last chance to make his mark at a major tournament. With Leon Bailey absent, he will need to step up and put goals in the back of the net. Check out this story where he shares vulnerably about the benefits of therapy and rediscovering his love for the game!
Tournament storylines
Front page: Can the Reggae Boyz compete without Leon Bailey and Andre Blake? - Two of the best Jamaican players are missing (Bailey because of aforementioned federation beef and Blake due to injury). Those two have been mainstays for the country in recent years, so it’s hard to imagine this team without them. El Paso Locomotive keeper, Jahmali White, has taken over in goal but it’s a drop-off from MLS and Jamaica legend Andre Blake. There’s great talent in this team but without two of their stars, making a run will be even tougher!
Back page: Will Jamaica take the next step or stagnate under Heimir Hallgrímsson? - Similar to Panama, Jamaica has made strides in the last few years (semifinalists at the Gold Cup and 3rd place at the Nations League). Many stars are in the latter stages of their prime and it will be crucial for younger players to step up and get experience if momentum is to continue. Even if the on-field product continues improving, stagnation or regression could occur simply because of federation mismanagement which is a true shame.
Costa Rica
Los Ticos qualified for the last spot in this competition by defeating Honduras 3-1. Since then, their best all-time player (and one of the greatest to ever come from Concacaf) Keylor Navas retired from the national team. I thought for sure this Copa América was going to be his farewell tour. The team has remained in good form and is led by a group of young attackers who have shown tremendous quality. Most of the previous generation that played in 3 straight World Cups are gone and a new era has begun!
Copa América best finish: Quarterfinals twice (2001 and 2004)
Copa América group: Group D (Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay) - The draw wasn’t ideal for Costa Rica (neither was their performance in the Nations League to qualify for this tournament). Opening against South American powers Brazil and Colombia will be a tall task for them. Some players have experience against this level of team from the last World Cup but for many, it will be a new experience. They will be battling with Paraguay for third place.
Expectation: Get a few goals - Unfortunately, I don’t see Costa Rica getting a win in this group. There are a lot of new and exciting players in the squad but this will probably be more of a learning experience than a competition for them. They have the quality going forward to score some great goals but are too fragile in the backline and goal to compete in the group.
Stretch goal: Finish 3rd in the group - The group finale with Paraguay will likely be a third-place game in the group. Both teams have tremendous young players and it is a game I’m very excited to watch. If Los Ticos can hold it together in defense, they’ve got a shot at all three points here!
Player to watch: Manfred Ugalde - At just 22, Ugalde is already being heralded as the future of the Costa Rican team. He played at a high level with Dutch side Twente for a few years and pundits expected he would end up in a top-5 league very soon. Right before the January window this year, he made a surprise move to Russian side Spartak Moscow and he hasn’t played well. Many are still scratching their head at this decision. This tournament is a chance for him to show the world he still has all that potential and could be a springboard to a better club situation!
Tournament storylines
Front page: What do “Los Ticos” look like post-Navas? - It looks like Patrick Sequeira will be getting the nod at keeper in this tournament but we could see Kevin Chamorro as well. Navas’ reduced appearances in non-competitive games n recent years angered some Ticos but it did give these guys a few caps. It is impossible to replace a legend like Keylor… these players need to play their best game and not try to “fill the shoes” of their predecessor. Given the freshness, the backline could look out of sorts and those will be necessary growing pains.
Back page: Can Costa Rica use this tournament to kick-start a new era? - The golden generation of Costa Rican futbol is all but gone and it’s time to begin again. Former Ecuador manager, Gustavo Alfaro, has this team on a good trajectory. Facing this level of competition on a global stage is just what these players need. Regardless of the results, it provides invaluable experience to players who haven’t faced this pressure before. This could be their first step in having a competitive team at the 2026 World Cup!
How to watch
English: Fox Sports
Spanish: TUDN
Multiple streaming platforms have access to Fox and TUDN like Sling, Fubo, and ViX. Find a way to watch these games - you won’t want to miss out!
Catch all the highlights on the YouTube pages as well: Fox Soccer and TUDN
Below are the dates and times for each Concacaf nation’s group stage games. All times listed are in EDT:
United States: vs Bolivia (6/23 at 6pm), vs Panama (6/27 at 6pm), vs Uruguay (7/1 at 9pm)
Mexico: vs Jamaica (6/22 at 9pm), vs Venezuela (6/26 at 9pm), vs Ecuador (6/30 at 8pm)
Canada: vs Argentina (6/20 at 8pm), vs Peru (6/25 at 6pm), vs Chile (6/29 at 8pm)
Panama: vs Uruguay (6/23 at 9pm), vs USA (6/27 at 6pm), vs Bolivia (7/1 at 9pm)
Jamaica: vs Mexico (6/22 at 9pm), vs Ecuador (6/26 at 6pm), vs Venezuela (6/30 at 8pm)
Costa Rica: vs Brazil (6/24 at 9pm), vs Colombia (6/28 at 6pm), vs Paraguay (7/2 at 9pm)
I am excited about this month-long celebration of the beautiful game in the Americas! It is going to be a time to showcase the talent, passion, and cultures surrounding this sport from a region that lives and breathes it. Stay tuned for more coverage throughout the tournament and check out this welcome video from CONMEBOL to get your excitement up!