United States to host 2024 Copa América

Lionel Messi and Argentina will defend their Copa América title in the United States in 2024. CONMEBOL and Concacaf have issued a joint statement outlining the details of a strategic collaborative agreement the two federations have reached for the Americas’ biggest international tournament to be held in the United States. The press release also reveals that they have agreed to create a new club tournament together, along with changes to the 2024 Women’s Gold Cup.

Which teams will compete in the 2024 Copa América in the United States?

The statement explains: “The CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 will be played in the United States, in the summer of 2024, and will include 10 CONMEBOL teams and the six best Concacaf teams, as guests. This traditional CONMEBOL tournament will be co-organized by both confederations.”

It also reveals that “the six Concacaf national teams will have the opportunity to qualify for this competition through the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League.”

Which teams will compete in the inaugural Women’s Gold Cup in 2024?

In the women’s game, Concacaf have invited four CONMEBOL national teams to take part in the 2024 Gold Cup, which will also be held in the US. 12 teams will compete in the inaugural edition of the tournament, with the eight Concacaf nations joined by four CONMBEBAL teams who qualify based on the results of the 2022 Women’s Copa América (winners Brazil, runners-up Colombia and beaten semi-finalists Argentina and Paraguay).

Concacaf and CONMEBOL to create a new club tournament

Lastly, Concacaf and CONMEBOL have agreed to found a “final four” style club competition which will feature the “best clubs” from the two federations, with the first edition pencilled in for 2024.

CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez said the following on the agreement: “CONMEBOL and Concacaf are united by historical and affective ties. 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.”

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani also expressed his views on the link-up between the federations: “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. 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.”