Copa América 2024: A Crucial Test for U.S. Ahead of World Cup 2026
by pedro graterol
The latest edition of the world’s oldest international football contest took place in the U.S. and, amidst the exciting matches, there are growing concerns about the readiness of U.S. infrastructure heading to the upcoming World Cup
Copa América, South America’s premier football tournament, and the oldest international football competition globally, just ended. This year’s edition took place in the U.S and, while it marks an important hallmark in the history of the development of soccer in the country, it also brings a wide variety of concerns. The tournament served as a dry run for the upcoming 2026 World Cup which, despite also being hosted by México and Canada, will take place mostly in the United States.As Argentina lifts this prestigious trophy, the U.S. prepares to be a World Cup host. Let’s review the history of this tournament and what it means.
Inaugurated in 1916 as the Campeonato Sudamericano to celebrate Argentina’s centenary of independence, the first tournament featured Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, with Uruguay winning the inaugural title. This event laid the groundwork for the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL), formalized in the same year to oversee future tournaments. It also became the birthplace for the iconic rivalry between Argentina and Uruguay. Since then, the Copa América has grown in acclaim and scope and became one of the leading promoters of soccer in the region. The tournament’s frequency varied over the decades, sometimes taking long hiatuses, such as the one between 1929 and 1935 due to political tensions and another from 1967 to 1975 as the Copa Libertadores emerged.
In 1975, the competition was renamed Copa América, introducing a home-and-away format. The structure evolved over time, with the inclusion of all ten CONMEBOL members and eventually expanding to invite two additional teams from outside South America, starting in 1993. This inclusion of non-South American teams like Mexico and the United States aimed to enhance the tournament’s global appeal, with Mexico achieving notable success, including two runner-up finishes. The process of transcontinental expansion reached a new height with the 2016 edition. Held in the United States to commemorate the tournament’s centenary, this edition marked the first time the Copa América took place outside South America. This event, featuring 16 teams from both CONMEBOL and CONCACAF (Confederación de Norteamérica, Centro America y el Caribe de Futbol), highlighted the competition’s global stature, with Chile emerging victorious.
Fast forward to 2024, the Copa América was held in the United States. This decision, confirmed in January 2023 as part of a strategic collaboration between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, includes six CONCACAF nations as guest teams: the USA, Canada, Jamaica, Panama, Mexico, and Costa Rica. This arrangement not only strengthens international relations but also serves as a preparatory event for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted predominantly in the United States, alongside Mexico and Canada.
However, the choice to host the Copa América in the U.S. has revealed several logistical and infrastructural challenges that need addressing before the World Cup. Notably, the condition of the playing surfaces has come under scrutiny. Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and MetLife Stadium near New York have faced criticism from players like Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Brazil’s Vini Jr. for poor pitch conditions. Instances of injuries attributed to the field surface, like those of Mexico’s Edson Alvarez and Peru’s Luis Advíncula, have raised alarms about player safety. Similarly, extreme summer heat in many parts of the United States has impacted player performance and spectator comfort. For instance, the heatwave during a recent game in Kansas City resulted in thousands of empty seats at Children’s Mercy Park. Moreover, attendance issues have surfaced due to high ticket prices and expensive travel costs. The decentralization of ticket sales, which contrasts with previous tournaments where CONMEBOL controlled pricing, has led to higher costs for spectators, resulting in smaller turnouts despite the large capacities of U.S. stadiums. This lack of attendance is compounded by transportation issues. Multiple stadiums are located far from city centers, and the U.S. lacks an efficient public transport system comparable to those in other countries hosting major tournaments.