COMNEBOL and CONCACAF come together to host the 100th Anniversary edition of the Copa America in the US, an event that's big on bragging rights and small on long term implications other than FIFA rankings. This is a one off that breaks the normal 4 year cycle for the Copa, specifically to mark the 100 years since the 1916 debut of the tournament. Group stages kick off June 3 ... TONIGHT ... with the US facing Columbia.
Here's the Groups
Columbia
US
Costa Rica
Paraguay
Brazil
Equador
Haiti
Peru
Mexico
Uruguay
Venezuela
Jamaica
Argentina
Chile
Panama
Bolivia
Note that Neymar will be out for Brazil and that Messi's presence for Argentina is uncertain due to his tax fraud trial in Spain. Still ... that rivals the Euros for pure strength. Mexico have the hottest hand coming in, having gone on an impressive 11 game unbeaten streak. Brazil and Uruguay are in generational transition, but Chile, Columbia, and Venezuela are all on the upswing and both Peru and Equador are also stronger than their norm. The US has a tough group, topped by Columbia but it's do-able to get through to the knockouts. Costa Rica's good, but missing Navas, their world class keeper, and Paraguay is pretty middling by this tourney's standards. Each group has a solid three team contingent. This should be some seriously good football.
Here's the Groups
Columbia
US
Costa Rica
Paraguay
Brazil
Equador
Haiti
Peru
Mexico
Uruguay
Venezuela
Jamaica
Argentina
Chile
Panama
Bolivia
Note that Neymar will be out for Brazil and that Messi's presence for Argentina is uncertain due to his tax fraud trial in Spain. Still ... that rivals the Euros for pure strength. Mexico have the hottest hand coming in, having gone on an impressive 11 game unbeaten streak. Brazil and Uruguay are in generational transition, but Chile, Columbia, and Venezuela are all on the upswing and both Peru and Equador are also stronger than their norm. The US has a tough group, topped by Columbia but it's do-able to get through to the knockouts. Costa Rica's good, but missing Navas, their world class keeper, and Paraguay is pretty middling by this tourney's standards. Each group has a solid three team contingent. This should be some seriously good football.