The oldest worldwide soccer match on this planet kicks off Thursday evening – with Atlanta internet hosting Copa América’s opening match on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Lionel Messi and reigning champion Argentina will begin their protection towards Canada in what might be the all-time nice’s ultimate worldwide match.
The forty eighth version of Copa América is being held throughout 14 U.S. cities. Although it’s often reserved for South American CONMEBOL groups, six groups from the CONCACAF area, through which Mexico and the U.S. play, will function.
Do they stand an opportunity towards the may of South American fútbol, or will Messi add one other main trophy to his legendary profession?
NPR’s Michel Martin talked to Jon Arnold, a soccer journalist who runs the publication Getting CONCACAfed, and who might be protecting this yr’s match.
Right here’s what he’s anticipating:
This might be Messi’s final worldwide match
The Argentina and Inter Miami FC ahead is nearing the twilight of his profession. However Messi will not be displaying any indicators of slowing down and his crew are favorites to repeat as champions, Arnold says.
“Despite the fact that Messi is getting outdated in a soccer sense, he is nonetheless probably the greatest gamers on this planet. He proved it in 2022 when Argentina gained the World Cup. He proved it the yr earlier than that when Argentina gained this match, the Copa América,” Arnold stated.
What the U.S. Males’s Nationwide Staff has to show
Arnold says the stress is on primarily for Coach Gregg Berhalter, who’s hoping to steer the crew into the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S., Mexico and Canada will host.
If issues don’t go effectively, Arnold stated, “then there’s going to be loads of folks saying that they might do a greater job and asking for a special supervisor. So I actually suppose that the U.S. has a giant probability to show that they are heading in the right direction. However you would additionally see a crew that possibly wants a special course.”
However does the USMNT stand an opportunity to win the match?
Arnold says he can’t fairly see the U.S. knocking out Argentina or successful the match, however the crew has improved.
“Whenever you take a look at this match, it is Argentina and the chasing pack. But when the U.S. is in that pack, that is progress,” Arnold stated.
What different nations ought to viewers hold a watch out for
Arnold says he’s excited to see Uruguay, Argentina’s neighbor.
“They are a small nation, however they’ve actually punched above their weight on the worldwide soccer degree,” Arnold stated. “They’ll have video games towards the U.S. within the group stage, after which they will seemingly play Brazil [or] Colombia within the subsequent spherical. I believe it will be a extremely enjoyable crew to observe if you wish to go a bit of deeper than simply the U.S.”
Invited groups from CONCACAF additionally may make for a extra aggressive match, Arnold says.
“The U.S., Mexico, even nations like Costa Rica and Panama have proven that they’ll compete with a few of these greater groups from South America in latest worldwide competitions,” Arnold stated. “So I do suppose it’s going to add an additional aspect of problem for lots of the South American groups that need to carry their continental championship.”
What’s the construction?
The 16-team discipline is break up into 4 teams. Every crew will play three video games within the group stage. The highest two groups from every group will transfer on to the knockout stage.
The teams are:
Group A: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Peru
Group B: Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Venezuela
Group C: Bolivia, Panama, United States, Uruguay
Group D: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay
The ultimate is about for July 14 on the Exhausting Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Easy methods to watch:
Matches might be broadcast on FOX, FS1 and FS2. Spanish-language broadcasts might be out there on Univision, TUDN and UniMas.
Matches may even be streamed on the Fox Sports activities app and in Spanish on Vix+, Univision’s streaming platform.
The digital model of this story was edited by Treye Inexperienced.