Copa América 2024
The 2024 Copa América, the 48th edition of South America's premier football tournament organized by CONMEBOL, took place in the United States from June 20 to July 14, 2024. This marked the second time the U.S. hosted the event, following the centennial edition in 2016. citeturn0search13
Tournament Overview:
- Participants: The competition featured 16 teams: all 10 CONMEBOL nations and 6 invited teams from CONCACAF. citeturn0search13
- Champions: Argentina clinched their record-breaking 16th Copa América title by defeating Colombia 1–0 after extra time in the final held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. This victory added to Argentina's impressive streak, following their 2021 Copa América and 2022 FIFA World Cup triumphs. citeturn0search16
- Key Players:
- Top Scorer: Lautaro Martínez of Argentina led the scoring charts with 5 goals.
- Best Player: James Rodríguez of Colombia was honored as the tournament's best player.
- Best Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez of Argentina received the best goalkeeper accolade. citeturn0search13
Notable Incidents:
The final experienced a significant delay, starting 82 minutes later than scheduled due to security incidents around and within Hard Rock Stadium. citeturn0search16
Mascot and Official Ball:
- Mascot: An anthropomorphic eagle named "Capitán" was unveiled as the tournament's official mascot, symbolizing strength and excellence. citeturn0search13
- Official Ball: Puma introduced the "Puma Cumbre" as the official match ball, marking a new partnership after two decades with Nike. citeturn0search15
Looking Ahead:
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, South American teams are gearing up for the qualifiers. The expanded format offers more opportunities, but traditional powerhouses like Brazil face challenges, currently sitting sixth in the qualifiers. Colombia, despite their Copa América final loss, showcased resilience and aim to capitalize on their strong form. citeturn0news21
navlistColombia's Remarkable Feat in 2024turn0news19
