Everything You Need to Know About the 2028 Copa America

The exact dates for the 2028 CONMEBOL Copa America have yet to be announced, and even the FIFA international calendar doesn’t specify them at this point. Still, it’s expected that the tournament will happen between mid-June and mid-July 2028. For reference, the 2024 Copa America, which was also hosted in the United States, ran from June 20 to July 14.

An interesting factor is the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in the U.S. as well. While most Olympic sports will center in Los Angeles, soccer matches are spread across various U.S. cities. The Olympics run from July 14 to July 30, though some events start before the opening ceremony, so scheduling could be tight.

Where Might the 2028 Copa America Be Hosted?

No official host has been named yet. Reports have circulated for months suggesting the United States will again hold the tournament, just like it did in 2016 and 2024. Adam Crafton of The Athletic mentioned on December 1, 2025, that discussions were underway to bring the event back to the U.S. More rumors popped up on social media in early October, though no major news outlets confirmed these claims.

If the U.S. does host, it will mark the third time in five editions the tournament takes place there. Aside from the U.S. and Brazil, other countries haven’t hosted since Chile in 2015. Argentina’s last time hosting was in 2011.

Which Teams Will Compete in the 2028 Tournament?

All 10 CONMEBOL member nations are guaranteed a spot as usual. Additionally, guest teams often join, especially from the CONCACAF region. If the U.S. hosts again, it’s almost certain that the United States, Canada, and Mexico will participate. In 2024, three other CONCACAF teams—Jamaica, Panama, and Costa Rica—earned places through Nations League qualification.

The 2024 event featured 16 teams, but some chatter on social media hints at a possible expansion to 20 teams for 2028. This would shake up the tournament structure and might include more CONCACAF teams or possibly invitees from other confederations. Details on this remain uncertain.

How Often Does Copa America Occur?

Currently, the Copa America is scheduled every four years, placed mid-cycle between FIFA World Cups during even-numbered years. With World Cups in 2026 and 2030, the next Copa America aligns with 2028.

This pattern is relatively new. Historically, the Copa America often happened in odd years, typically the year after a World Cup. For example, tournaments occurred in 2011 and 2015, following the 2010 and 2014 World Cups respectively.

There have been extra editions too. In 2016, a special Centenario tournament marked CONMEBOL's 100th anniversary. The 2021 edition was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to COVID-19.

Recent Copa America Winners and Hosts

• 2024 Host: USA
• 2024 Winner: Argentina
• 2024 Runner-up: Colombia
• 2021 Host: Brazil
• 2021 Winner: Argentina
• 2021 Runner-up: Brazil
• 2019 Host: Brazil
• 2019 Winner: Brazil
• 2019 Runner-up: Peru
• 2015 Host: Chile
• 2015 Winner: Chile
• 2015 Runner-up: Argentina
• 2011 Host: Argentina
• 2011 Winner: Uruguay
• 2011 Runner-up: Paraguay
• 2007 Host: Venezuela
• 2007 Winner: Brazil
• 2007 Runner-up: Argentina
• 2004 Host: Peru
• 2004 Winner: Brazil
• 2004 Runner-up: Argentina

A New Era Without Messi

The 2028 Copa America will be the first tournament without Lionel Messi since 2004, as he plans to retire from international play by late 2026. Argentina will aim for their third consecutive continental title without their iconic leader.