The Copa America stands as the pinnacle of men’s football tournaments in South America, boasting the distinction of being the world’s oldest continuously running continental competition. Its primary purpose is to crown the champion of South America, a coveted title that signifies regional dominance in the beautiful game.
Since the 1990s, the Copa America has embraced a broader scope, extending invitations to national teams from Asia and North America, thereby expanding its international appeal. The tournament’s origins trace back to 1916, a commemorative celebration of Argentina’s centennial independence. Uruguay, the first-ever champion, etched its name into the annals of the tournament’s history. Initially, the Copa America was held at irregular intervals, ranging from one to four years. However, in 2007, it adopted its current quadrennial format, ensuring a consistent schedule for this prestigious event.
The Copa America falls under the jurisdiction of the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL), the governing body for South American football. Ten national teams, all members of CONMEBOL—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela—form the core of the tournament’s participants. Adding to the competition’s diverse character, two additional national teams are invited to participate, further enriching the tournament’s global flavor.
Since 1993, the Copa America has embraced a 12-team format, encompassing all ten CONMEBOL teams alongside two guest nations. The 2023 edition, for example, features the United States and Canada as the invited teams. Mexico held a consistent presence in the tournament between 1993 and 2016, typically representing CONCACAF. However, 1999 saw Japan, an AFC nation, take the second guest spot, and in 2019, Japan and Qatar joined the competition. The 2016 edition, aptly named Copa America Centenario to commemorate its 100th anniversary, marked a departure with a 16-team format, including six teams from CONCACAF in addition to the ten CONMEBOL nations.
