The Copa America draw occurred on Thursday night time, and groups from North, Central and South America discovered their opposition. The match takes place in the summertime of 2024, with the US internet hosting the competitors for the second time. There are nonetheless two open slots from CONCACAF. 4 groups, Costa Rica, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras, are within the operating to compete. CONMEBOL issued these two spots as CONCACAF play-off spots, so these are additionally confirmed.
In whole, six groups from CONCACAF are becoming a member of the standard 10 from South America. The 2024 Copa America can have extra groups than every other in historical past when it returns to the US for the primary time since 2016. Nonetheless, despite the fact that there are such a lot of nations within the operating, the 4 teams yielded some attention-grabbing matchups amongst heavyweights within the match.
A good draw for the USMNT?
The USA is enjoying Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia within the Copa America. Whereas none of these groups current an overtly simple opponent, it’s not the worst-case situation for Gregg Berhalter’s squad. Uruguay was the very best staff popping out of pot two within the draw. By comparability, Peru is 24 spots decrease on the FIFA World Rankings than Uruguay, they usually had been in the identical pot. Even when that could be a daunting sport, it’s the kind of fixture the US can set a tone in.
Then, enjoying fellow CONCACAF aspect Panama is a good draw. Panama has given the US points in years previous. For instance, Panama defeated the USMNT in Panama Metropolis throughout World Cup 2022 Qualifying. Within the reverse fixture in Orlando, the US received 5-1. Due to this fact, it’s a sport the US ought to win.
Lastly, Bolivia is the worst staff, not less than based mostly on FIFA World Rankings, within the 2024 Copa America. That isn’t solely a must-win sport but in addition a possibility to lift the purpose differential for the USMNT. The USMNT’s Group C is tied to Group D for the knockout stage. Due to this fact, the runner-up from this group performs the winner of Group D, which is more likely to be Brazil.
It is a winnable group for the US. But, if it comes right down to the ultimate matchday towards Uruguay to qualify for the knockout phases, it will likely be a serious problem for the Stars and Stripes. The USMNT opens the match towards Bolivia earlier than enjoying Panama and shutting out with Uruguay.
The remainder of the Copa America 2024 draw
Argentina, the defending champions of the Copa America and the World Cup, went into Group A. There, it has a pair of difficult fixtures towards groups from South America. La Albiceleste is enjoying Peru, a semifinalist within the 2021 Copa America. Then, Argentina is enjoying Chile, the staff that not solely received the Copa America the final time it was in the US in 2016. It did so towards Argentina, triumphing over Lionel Messi and firm within the 2015 match. Argentina’s different group-stage opponent is without doubt one of the playoff groups from CONCACAF.
Mexico is going through Ecuador, Venezuela and Jamaica. Whereas none of these three groups are conventional powers, they’re a few of the most in-form groups of their respective confederations. Venezuela and Ecuador are each within the prime half of CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying via six video games. Jamaica went unbeaten in CONCACAF Nations League play earlier than knocking off Canada within the playoff spherical to achieve the Copa America.
Lastly, Brazil has to play Colombia, which lately defeated the nine-time Copa America winners in World Cup qualifying. Even when the Copa America remains to be months away, Brazil is battling accidents to key gamers that would have an effect on their standing within the match. The Selecao can be scheduled to play Paraguay and the opposite CONCACAF playoff winner. That isn’t a straightforward group within the slightest.
The match begins on June 20 when Argentina takes on one of many CONCACAF playoff opponents in Atlanta.
PHOTO: IMAGO
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