US to host 2024 Copa America with 16 teams

Sam Borden is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

The 2024 Copa America tournament will be played in the United States, CONMEBOL confirmed on Friday after an agreement between the South American football confederation and CONCACAF.

The format will feature 16 teams, 10 from CONMEBOL and six from CONCACAF, with teams from the North, Central American and Caribbean Confederation qualifying via the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League tournament.

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Discussions with some U.S.-based potential venues are already underway, according to sources, and it’s possible that several of the cities set to host World Cup games in 2026 would also be used for the Copa America.

For women’s national teams, CONCACAF has invited the top four CONMEBOL national teams to participate in the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup. The inaugural edition of this 12-team tournament, will also be played in the United States.

The two CONCACAF teams that will participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics (United States and Jamaica or Canada) will qualify directly for the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup. The remaining six CONCACAF teams will be determined through the 2023 Road to CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

The four guest CONMEBOL teams that will participate have been determined based on the results of the 2022 Women’s Copa America: Brazil (champion) Colombia (runner-up), Argentina (third place) and Paraguay (fourth place).

The Copa America features all South American national teams, including Brazil and Argentina, but has also historically invited guest countries to participate.

The U.S. has participated in the tournament four times previously, most recently in 2016, when it reached the semifinal. That tournament was also held in the United States.

“CONMEBOL and Concacaf are united by historical and affective ties,” CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said in a statement. “But above all, we are united by the passion, characteristic of all the Americas, for football and sports.

“We are determined to renew and expand our joint initiatives and projects. We want this passion to translate into more and better competitions and for football and its values to grow and strengthen throughout the hemisphere.

“Without a doubt, both confederations believe in big, and we will work with this orientation.”

CONMEBOL said in a statement that 2024 Copa America would serve as “preparation for the upcoming World Cup” and give the teams a chance to compete in a 2026 World Cup host country.

“This is a partnership to support the ongoing growth of men’s and women’s football in Concacaf and CONMEBOL, and will truly be of mutual benefit to both Confederations,” CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani said in a statement. “Working hand in hand with CONMEBOL, we will deliver elite competitions that will provide more opportunities for our federations, and that we know passionate fans want to see.

“We look forward to working together to ensure that football in both regions continues to thrive.”

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