In World Cup Primer, U.S. Ready To Capitalize on 2024 Copa America 

The countdown is on for next summer’s Copa America tournament, which will bring World Cup champs Argentina and other South American powerhouses like Brazil to the U.S. to face off against top North American teams like the U.S. and Mexico.

South American soccer federation CONMEBOL announced that the 2024 tournament will be held June 20-July 14 at venues to be selected soon.

Last time the Copa America came to the U.S. in 2016, the Rose Bowl, MetLife Stadium, Gillette Stadium, and Lincoln Financial Field were among the 10 host stadiums. That tournament — a special 100th anniversary edition — broke attendance records with nearly 1.5 million fans throughout the 32 games. The USMNT lost to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the semifinals.

Six teams from Concacaf — North America’s governing soccer body — will qualify for the 2024 tournament, including next year’s four Concacaf Nations League semi-finalists. This year’s final four were the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Panama.

Messi — who turns 36 on Saturday — hasn’t said whether he will play for Argentina next summer, at which time he’ll be nearly a year into his Major League Soccer tenure with Inter Miami. But fans can expect to see Brazil’s top trio of Neymar, Vinicius Jr., and Gabriel Jesus.

The Copa America will provide an excellent rehearsal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America — which will bring even more fans from across the globe to many of the same cities and venues.