Copa America | What there is to know

ATLANTA — If you’ve been in downtown Atlanta in the last few days, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered some fanatical soccer fans gearing up for the biggest soccer event in the Western Hemisphere.

This is the Copa América, an event that takes place every four years and brings together the best teams from North, South and Central America. This year the tournament will begin here in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Copa América features 10 teams made up of CONMEBOL – the South American football federation – as well as six other teams from the Western Hemisphere. It is the oldest continental football tournament in the world, first played in 1916. This year it is being played at the same time as UEFA Euro 2024, a similar football tournament consisting of European teams.

This year, the 16 countries representing the Copa América are as follows: United States, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay

The United States was not originally supposed to host the Copa América. This was initially awarded to Ecuador, who were next in line to host the tournament. However, CONMEBOL decided that Ecuador should focus its resources on their country rather than football.

However, in January last year, CONMEBOL and Concacaf, the governing body of soccer in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, announced a new partnership and chose the United States as the next host of the Copa America.

Well, for one thing, the Copa América only takes place once every four years and brings together the best soccer players from across North, South and Central America. It’s even more important this year since two matches will take place right here in Atlanta, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

On Thursday evening, Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer of all time, will be in Atlanta with reigning world champions Argentina. The buzz around Atlanta is real, with Argentina fans already seen flooding the streets of downtown and the opening match being a sellout. They will face Canada at 7 p.m. Fans came from Argentina and Canada for the big group stage match.

On Thursday, June 27, Atlanta will host one of the biggest matches of the Copa América group stage. The United States will face Panama that day at 5 p.m. at the Benz, creating an exceptional atmosphere in the city.

The Copa América begins with 16 teams divided into four groups of four teams each. Each team faces the other three in its group and receives three points in the event of a victory and one point in the event of a draw. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals. The Copa América then becomes a knockout tournament with a bracket of eight teams.

The Copa América will be televised on Fox, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 for the duration of the tournament.