The 2028 Copa América will be the 49th edition of the oldest continental football tournament in the world. It is expected to be played in June and July 2028, with Argentina defending the title they won in 2024. As of November 2026, however, CONMEBOL has not officially confirmed the host country, the exact dates, the number of teams or the venues.
The United States is widely reported to be the frontrunner to host, in partnership with CONCACAF, which would mean another tournament with guest teams from North and Central America. Ecuador, next in the traditional rotation, has also been linked with hosting. This guide explains what is confirmed, what is still being discussed, the likely format, the favourites and the full history of Copa América winners.
Copa América 2028: what we know so far
| Item | Status (November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Edition | 49th Copa América |
| Organiser | CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) |
| Expected timing | June–July 2028 (exact dates not announced) |
| Host | Not officially confirmed; USA reported frontrunner |
| Number of teams | Not confirmed; 16 in 2024, with talk of expansion to 20 |
| Guest teams | Expected from CONCACAF if the USA hosts; not confirmed |
| Defending champions | Argentina (2021 and 2024 winners) |
| Most titles | Argentina, 16 |
We will update this page when CONMEBOL makes an official announcement. Until then, treat any specific dates, venues or team lists you see online as reports rather than confirmed facts.
Who will host Copa América 2028?
There are three main options being discussed for the 2028 tournament.
United States (reported frontrunner)
Reports since December 2025 have said that CONMEBOL and CONCACAF were in advanced talks about holding the 2028 edition in the United States. That would be the third Copa América on US soil, after the Copa América Centenario in 2016 and the 2024 edition. In June 2026, it was reported that the two confederations had met in Miami to move the agreement forward, and fresh rumours in October 2026 suggested an expanded tournament with more CONCACAF teams.
The commercial case is strong. The 2024 Copa América in the United States reportedly drew around 1.6 million fans, and the country now has a ready-made set of stadiums after co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. You can read about those venues in our FIFA World Cup 2026 guide.
Ecuador (next in the rotation)
Copa América traditionally rotates between the 10 South American nations. Ecuador, which last hosted in 1993, is next in line and has nominated eight possible host cities: Quito, Guayaquil, Manta, Cuenca, Machala, Ambato, Riobamba and Salinas. President Daniel Noboa expressed interest in hosting in 2024. However, reports in 2026 raised doubts over infrastructure and security, and Ecuador had previously stepped back from hosting in 2024 because of costs.
Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay
There has also been speculation about a joint South American tournament, possibly involving Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, as a warm-up for the 2030 World Cup centenary matches those countries will stage. Uruguay’s football federation said in December 2023 that no official steps had been taken, and this option has received less attention since. See our 2030 World Cup guide for more on those centenary games.
When will Copa América 2028 be played?
The tournament is expected in June and July 2028, the usual window for Copa América. One complication is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which run from 14 to 30 July 2028. If the United States hosts, the organisers are expected to avoid a clash with the Olympic football tournament and the wider Games, which may push the Copa América earlier into June.
Other summer 2028 events also matter for scheduling. UEFA’s European Championship takes place in the UK and Ireland in June and July 2028, so European clubs will be releasing players for two major tournaments at the same time. Read more in our Euro 2028 guide.
Copa América 2028 format and teams
CONMEBOL has not announced the format for 2028. The most likely options are:
- 16 teams (as in 2024): all 10 CONMEBOL nations plus six guests, played in four groups of four, with the top two in each group reaching the quarter-finals.
- 20 teams (reported option): an expanded tournament with more CONCACAF teams, which has been discussed in reports during 2026.
- 12 teams (traditional South American model): the 10 CONMEBOL nations plus two invited guests, the format used at several editions held in South America.
The 10 CONMEBOL nations
Whatever the format, all 10 South American members are expected to take part:
| Team | Copa América titles |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 16 |
| Uruguay | 15 |
| Brazil | 9 |
| Paraguay | 2 |
| Chile | 2 |
| Peru | 2 |
| Colombia | 1 |
| Bolivia | 1 |
| Ecuador | 0 |
| Venezuela | 0 |
Venezuela and Ecuador are the only CONMEBOL members never to have won the Copa América.
Possible guest teams
Copa América has invited guest nations since 1993. If the 2028 edition is held in the United States in partnership with CONCACAF, the guests are likely to come from North and Central America and the Caribbean. At the 2024 tournament, the six CONCACAF teams were the United States, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Panama. In 2024 they qualified through the CONCACAF Nations League, and a similar route could be used for 2028.
Favourites for Copa América 2028
Bookmakers have not yet published odds, but some teams are clear early contenders:
- Argentina: winners of the last two Copa Américas (2021 and 2024) and runners-up at the 2026 World Cup, where they lost the final 1–0 to Spain after extra time. They will be favourites again, although the squad is entering a period of transition after the 2026 World Cup.
- Brazil: nine-time champions, always among the favourites, but without a Copa América title since 2019.
- Colombia: runners-up in 2024 and round-of-16 finalists at the 2026 World Cup.
- Uruguay: 15-time champions who will want to bounce back after a group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup.
- USA and Mexico: if they take part as guests, both would have home or near-home advantage in a US-hosted tournament.
Argentina’s run in North America in 2026 is covered in our World Cup 2026 winner article.
Copa América 2024 recap: Argentina win again
The last Copa América was held in the United States from June to July 2024, with 16 teams. Argentina beat Colombia 1–0 after extra time in the final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with Lautaro Martínez scoring the winner. It was Argentina’s 16th title, moving them clear of Uruguay as the most successful team in the competition’s history.
The final was delayed by around 80 minutes because of crowd problems outside the stadium, and the tournament also faced criticism over some playing surfaces. Those issues will be part of the discussion if the United States hosts again in 2028.
Copa América winners list
| Country | Titles | Most recent |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 16 | 2024 |
| Uruguay | 15 | 2011 |
| Brazil | 9 | 2019 |
| Chile | 2 | 2016 |
| Paraguay | 2 | 1979 |
| Peru | 2 | 1975 |
| Colombia | 1 | 2001 |
| Bolivia | 1 | 1963 |
Recent Copa América finals
| Year | Host | Final |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Argentina | Uruguay 3–0 Paraguay |
| 2015 | Chile | Chile 0–0 Argentina (Chile won on penalties) |
| 2016 | United States (Centenario) | Chile 0–0 Argentina (Chile won on penalties) |
| 2019 | Brazil | Brazil 3–1 Peru |
| 2021 | Brazil | Argentina 1–0 Brazil |
| 2024 | United States | Argentina 1–0 Colombia (after extra time) |
Argentina’s run of three major titles between 2021 and 2024 (Copa América 2021, World Cup 2022 and Copa América 2024) is one of the most successful spells by any national team. For the full history of world champions, see our FIFA World Cup winners list.
Copa América records
| Record | Holder |
|---|---|
| Most titles | Argentina, 16 |
| First tournament | 1916, Argentina (won by Uruguay) |
| All-time top scorers | Norberto Méndez (Argentina) and Zizinho (Brazil), 17 goals each |
The Copa América began in 1916, making it older than the World Cup, the European Championship and every other continental championship still played today. It was known as the South American Championship until 1975, when it took the name Copa América.
A short history of guest teams
The idea of inviting teams from outside South America began in 1993, when Mexico and the United States took part. Since then, guests have included Mexico (who reached the final in 1993 and 2001), the United States, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan and Qatar.
- Mexico have been the most regular guest and twice reached the final, losing to Argentina in 1993 and Colombia in 2001.
- Honduras famously reached the semi-finals in 2001, knocking out Brazil on the way.
- Japan and Qatar were invited from Asia for the 2019 tournament in Brazil.
- 2016 and 2024 were joint CONMEBOL–CONCACAF tournaments in the United States, each with six CONCACAF teams.
A 2028 tournament in the United States would continue this closer partnership between the two confederations.
How the Copa América host is chosen
Traditionally, CONMEBOL rotated the Copa América between its 10 members, usually in alphabetical order. That system gave every South American country a regular turn, from big nations such as Brazil and Argentina to smaller hosts such as Paraguay and Venezuela.
In recent years, the rotation has become less strict. Commercial factors, stadium quality and security now play a larger role. The decision to hold the 2016 and 2024 editions in the United States showed that CONMEBOL is willing to move the tournament outside South America when it brings bigger crowds and revenue. The 2021 edition was also moved at short notice to Brazil after Argentina and Colombia were unable to host.
For 2028, Ecuador’s place in the rotation and the commercial appeal of the United States are pulling in different directions, which is one reason the decision has taken longer than usual.
Copa América 2028 vs Euro 2028
Summer 2028 will be a busy period for international football, with the two oldest and most prestigious continental championships expected at roughly the same time.
| Copa América 2028 | Euro 2028 | |
|---|---|---|
| Organiser | CONMEBOL | UEFA |
| Hosts | Not confirmed (USA reported frontrunner) | United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland |
| Expected timing | June–July 2028 | June–July 2028 |
| Teams | Not confirmed (16 in 2024) | 24 |
| Defending champions | Argentina | Spain |
With both tournaments in the same summer, fans could see Argentina and Spain, the last two World Cup finalists, defending their continental titles at the same time. The two have already met in the 2026 World Cup final.
Players to watch in 2028
The 2028 tournament will feature a new generation of South American talent, alongside experienced players who were part of recent title-winning teams. Argentina will be building around players such as Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, who all played key roles at the 2026 World Cup. Brazil will hope that young attackers such as Endrick can lead them back to the top, while Colombia will again rely on the creativity of their midfield and the pace of Luis Díaz.
Whether Lionel Messi, who played at his sixth World Cup in 2026, takes part in 2028 is one of the big questions around the tournament. He would be 41 by then. For his record on the biggest stage, see our guide to Messi’s World Cup stats.
Copa América 2028 timeline so far
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| December 2023 | Uruguay’s football federation says no official steps have been taken towards hosting |
| February 2024 | Ecuador’s president Daniel Noboa expresses interest in hosting |
| 14 July 2024 | Argentina beat Colombia 1–0 in the 2024 final in Miami to become the defending champions |
| December 2025 | Reports say CONMEBOL and CONCACAF are in advanced talks about a US-hosted 2028 tournament |
| June 2026 | The two confederations reportedly meet in Miami to move talks forward; doubts reported over Ecuador’s bid |
| October 2026 | New reports suggest a US-hosted tournament with more CONCACAF teams, possibly 20 in total |
| 14–30 July 2028 | Los Angeles Olympics, which the Copa América schedule is expected to avoid |
Nothing in this timeline after July 2024 is an official CONMEBOL decision. The confirmed facts remain that the tournament is expected in mid-2028 and that Argentina will defend their title.
What happens next
The next step is an official announcement from CONMEBOL, possibly together with CONCACAF, naming the host country, dates and format. Once that is confirmed, the following details are expected:
- The list of host cities and stadiums.
- The number of teams and how any guest nations qualify.
- The draw date for the group stage.
- Ticket sales and broadcast partners.
We will update this guide when these details are confirmed.
Why Copa América matters
The Copa América is more than a warm-up for the World Cup. For South American countries it carries enormous prestige, and for many players a Copa title ranks close to a world title. Lionel Messi’s first major trophy with Argentina came at the 2021 Copa América, after years of near-misses that included defeats in the 2015 and 2016 finals. That win changed the mood around the team and was followed by World Cup success in Qatar.
The tournament also gives smaller football nations a stage against the continent’s giants. Bolivia’s title in 1963, Colombia’s victory in 2001 and Chile’s back-to-back wins in 2015 and 2016 show that the Copa América can produce surprise champions.
FAQs about Copa América 2028
Where will Copa América 2028 be held?
As of November 2026, CONMEBOL has not officially confirmed the host. The United States is reported to be the frontrunner, in partnership with CONCACAF, while Ecuador is next in the traditional rotation.
When is Copa América 2028?
The tournament is expected in June and July 2028. Exact dates have not been announced, and organisers are expected to avoid a clash with the Los Angeles Olympics, which run from 14 to 30 July 2028.
How many teams will play at Copa América 2028?
The number has not been confirmed. The 2024 edition had 16 teams, and reports in 2026 suggested a possible expansion to 20 teams if the tournament is held with CONCACAF.
Who won the last Copa América?
Argentina won the 2024 Copa América, beating Colombia 1–0 after extra time in the final in Miami. It was their second title in a row and their 16th in total.
Which country has won the most Copa América titles?
Argentina have won the most Copa América titles, with 16. Uruguay are second with 15 and Brazil third with nine.
Will Mexico and the USA play at Copa America 2028?
That depends on the final format. If the tournament is held in the United States with CONCACAF, both are expected to take part, as they did in 2016 and 2024, but no team list has been confirmed.
Who are the favourites for Copa América 2028?
Argentina, the winners in 2021 and 2024, are expected to start as favourites, with Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay among the main challengers. Bookmakers had not published official odds as of November 2026.
Is Copa América older than the World Cup?
Yes. The first Copa América, then called the South American Championship, was played in 1916, 14 years before the first World Cup in 1930.
For more upcoming international tournaments, see our guides to AFCON 2027 and the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
