Copa America draw: Argentina opens vs. Canada, USMNT gets Uruguay
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The draw for next summer's Copa America was conducted Thursday in Miami, giving all the participating nations insight into their potential paths to one of global soccer's most coveted trophies.
The competition, being held across 14 stadiums in the United States in 2024, will feature CONMEBOL's 10 South American members - as is standard - along with six CONCACAF representatives.
Lionel Messi's Argentina, the reigning World Cup and Copa America champion, will open the tournament on June 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Their opponent for the curtain-raiser was determined by a qualifying playoff, with Canada defeating Trinidad & Tobago to book its berth. The Albiceleste, who beat bitter rival Brazil to hoist their most recent Copa crown in 2021, will also meet old continental foe Chile in the group stage of the tournament.
Elsewhere, the United States was handed arguably the toughest single task of the four top-seeded teams, as the Americans were paired with 15-time Copa champion Uruguay in Group C.
"It's a very prestigious tournament," USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter said ahead of the draw. "Some very competitive South American teams on our home soil, so for us it's like a mini World Cup."
Mexico, meanwhile, landed a balanced quartet in Group B.
Brazil, still looking to recover from losing the final at home in 2021 - at the iconic Maracana, no less - will have to navigate tricky encounters against Colombia and Paraguay in Group D.
Here are the groups in full:
Group A
| Slot | Nation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina |
| 2 | Peru |
| 3 | Chile |
| 4 | Canada |
Group B
| Slot | Nation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico |
| 2 | Ecuador |
| 3 | Venezuela |
| 4 | Jamaica |
Group C
| Slot | Nation |
|---|---|
| 1 | United States |
| 2 | Uruguay |
| 3 | Panama |
| 4 | Bolivia |
Group D
| Slot | Nation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil |
| 2 | Colombia |
| 3 | Paraguay |
| 4 | Costa Rica |
The top two nations in each group advance to the quarterfinals, with each group winner being paired with a runner-up in the first knockout round.
The tournament final, which has featured at least one of Brazil or Argentina in each of the last four editions, is slated for July 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.