The Copa America 2026 brings South America’s premier international football tournament back to the United States, running from 11 June to 12 July 2026. Sixteen nations, comprising all ten CONMEBOL members and six invited CONCACAF sides, will compete across four iconic American stadiums. Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi in what could be his final major international tournament, aim to claim a record-extending 17th Copa America title.
What is Copa America 2026?
The Copa America is the oldest international football tournament in the world, first staged in 1916 as the South American Football Championship before being renamed Copa America in 1975. Organised by CONMEBOL, it is the continental championship for South American nations and sits alongside the European Championship and Africa Cup of Nations as one of football’s most prestigious regional competitions.
The 2026 edition follows the expanded 16-team format introduced for the 2016 Copa America Centenario, which was also held in the United States. All ten CONMEBOL member nations (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela) are joined by six guest teams from CONCACAF: the United States (as hosts), Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Panama.
Teams are divided into four groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to a knockout stage comprising quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and the final. The group stage uses the standard round-robin format, with three points for a win and one for a draw. Goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head record serve as tiebreakers.
When is Copa America 2026?
The tournament runs for just over a month, from Wednesday 11 June to Sunday 12 July 2026. The opening match sees the United States face Bolivia at MetLife Stadium on Thursday 12 June, with an 8:00 PM ET kick-off. Argentina begin their title defence the following day, Friday 13 June, against Chile at SoFi Stadium (9:00 PM ET).
The group stage continues through late June, with two matches scheduled per matchday across the four host venues. The knockout rounds begin with the quarter-finals on 4 and 5 July, followed by the semi-finals on 8 and 9 July. The third-place play-off takes place on Saturday 11 July, with the showpiece final scheduled for Sunday 12 July at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Where is Copa America 2026?
The 2026 Copa America is hosted entirely in the United States, making use of four major venues across the country. Each stadium is a world-class facility with a proven track record of hosting major football events.
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, is the tournament’s primary venue and seats approximately 82,500 spectators. Home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, it hosted matches during the 2024 Copa America and will also serve as the venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, boasts a capacity of over 70,000 for football configurations. The state-of-the-art venue, which opened in 2020, is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, holds around 65,000 spectators and will host the Copa America 2026 Final. It served as the venue for the 2024 Copa America Final, where Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in extra time. Home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, it sits in the heart of South Florida’s large Latin American community.
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, is one of the largest enclosed stadiums in the world with a capacity of up to 100,000 for major events. Home to the Dallas Cowboys, it offers a retractable roof that ensures matches go ahead regardless of the intense Texas summer heat.
Key Contenders
Argentina (Defending Champions): La Albiceleste enter the tournament as the team to beat, having won the last two Copa America titles (2021 and 2024) as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Manager Lionel Scaloni has built a formidable squad that blends world-class experience with hungry young talent. Lionel Messi, now 38, has confirmed his availability for the tournament and remains a transformative presence despite his advancing years, having scored eight goals during Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan arrives as one of Europe’s deadliest strikers, having topped the Serie A scoring charts, while Julian Alvarez has flourished at Atletico Madrid. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez provides world-class shot-stopping and is arguably the finest penalty-saving goalkeeper in the modern game.
Brazil: The five-time world champions are desperate to end their Copa America drought, having last won the tournament in 2019. Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, who took charge in mid-2025, Brazil boast extraordinary attacking talent. Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is their talisman, while 19-year-old Endrick has enjoyed a sensational loan spell at Lyon, contributing 11 goals and assists in 12 appearances. Raphinha and the exciting Willian Estevao add further firepower. Brazil will be eager to make amends for their quarter-final exit in 2024.
Uruguay: With 15 Copa America titles to their name, La Celeste are always serious contenders. Marcelo Bielsa’s side impressed during World Cup qualifying, taking four points off Brazil and even beating Argentina in Buenos Aires. However, inconsistency has been an issue, and a 5-1 friendly defeat to the United States raised concerns. Darwin Nunez and Federico Valverde remain their standout performers.
Colombia: Runners-up in 2024, Colombia pushed Argentina all the way in the final and will fancy their chances of going one better. Luis Diaz of Liverpool provides pace and creativity in attack, and Colombia’s collective spirit under manager Nestor Lorenzo has been one of their greatest strengths in recent years.
United States (Hosts): Playing on home soil gives the USMNT a significant advantage. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon later that summer, the Copa America serves as the perfect preparation. Christian Pulisic and the emerging generation of American talent will look to prove the host nation can compete with South America’s finest.
How to Watch
Broadcasting arrangements for the Copa America 2026 span multiple regions, ensuring global coverage of the tournament.
United States: FOX Sports holds the English-language rights, with matches broadcast across FOX and FS1. Spanish-language coverage is provided by Univision and TUDN. Both networks offer streaming through their respective apps and platforms.
United Kingdom and Ireland: Premier Sports secured the exclusive rights to broadcast Copa America in the UK and Republic of Ireland for the 2024 edition, and the broadcaster is expected to retain rights for 2026. Coverage is available through the Premier Sports channel on Sky, Virgin Media, and the Premier Sports app. The Copa America was previously shown on the BBC, but the tournament has moved behind a paywall in recent cycles.
Latin America: DSports (formerly DirecTV Sports) and local free-to-air broadcasters in each CONMEBOL nation provide comprehensive coverage across the continent. In Brazil, Globo and SporTV typically share rights.
Rest of World: beIN Sports covers the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia and Oceania. In Australia, Optus Sport and Paramount+ have historically carried South American football coverage.
History and Records
The Copa America holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest international football competition, predating even the FIFA World Cup by 14 years. The inaugural tournament was held in Argentina in July 1916 to celebrate the centenary of Argentine independence, with just four nations competing: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Uruguay won that first edition unbeaten, clinching the title after a goalless draw with the hosts in the decisive final match at Estadio Racing Club in Avellaneda.
In the 110 years since, the tournament has been held 48 times. Argentina lead the all-time winners’ table with 16 titles, narrowly ahead of Uruguay on 15. Brazil have won nine editions, while Paraguay, Peru, Chile (each with two), Colombia, and Bolivia (each with one) complete the list of champions. Only Ecuador and Venezuela among the ten CONMEBOL members have never won the tournament.
Argentina’s recent dominance has been remarkable. Their 2024 triumph in Miami, sealed by a Lautaro Martinez extra-time winner against Colombia, made it three consecutive major tournament victories following the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup. Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Copa America match victories by a single player, with 25 wins across seven editions of the tournament between 2007 and 2024. The all-time leading scorers in Copa America history are Argentina’s Norberto Mendez and Brazil’s Zizinho, each with 17 goals.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the Copa America 2026 are expected to be available through the official CONMEBOL Copa America website and authorised ticketing partners. For the 2024 edition in the United States, tickets were distributed through Ticketmaster as the official platform, and a similar arrangement is anticipated for 2026.
Prices vary significantly depending on the match, stage of the tournament, and seat location. Group stage tickets for the 2024 edition ranged from approximately $50 to $300, while final tickets commanded prices from $200 to over $1,000 for premium seats. Given the presence of Argentina, Brazil, and the host nation United States, demand is expected to be extremely high, particularly for knockout-round fixtures in Miami and New Jersey.
Secondary market platforms including SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, and StubHub also list Copa America tickets, though prices on the resale market can fluctuate considerably based on demand. Hospitality packages and VIP experiences are typically offered through official tournament partners and provide premium seating, food, and beverage options at a significant premium. Fans are advised to purchase through official channels to avoid counterfeit tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Copa America 2026 start?
The Copa America 2026 begins on Thursday 12 June 2026, with the United States facing Bolivia at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The tournament runs until Sunday 12 July, when the final takes place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Where is Copa America 2026 being held?
The tournament is hosted in the United States across four venues: MetLife Stadium (New Jersey), SoFi Stadium (California), Hard Rock Stadium (Florida), and AT&T Stadium (Texas).
How can I watch Copa America 2026?
In the United States, FOX and FS1 broadcast in English, with Univision and TUDN providing Spanish coverage. In the UK and Ireland, Premier Sports is expected to hold broadcast rights. Latin American viewers can watch on DSports and local free-to-air channels.
Who won Copa America last time?
Argentina won the 2024 Copa America, defeating Colombia 1-0 after extra time in the final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in the 112th minute. It was Argentina’s record 16th Copa America title.
Will Lionel Messi play at Copa America 2026?
Messi, who will be 38 during the tournament, has indicated his desire to continue playing for Argentina. He was included in recent Argentina squads in early 2026 and remains a key figure under manager Lionel Scaloni, though his participation may depend on fitness closer to the tournament.