Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are set to launch their Copa America Group A campaign against tournament newcomers Canada on Thursday in Atlanta.
Argentina, who clinched the Copa America title in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022, have a storied history in the tournament. They reached the finals in 2015 and 2016 and secured third place in 2019. This year’s tournament, the 48th edition, features 10 South American teams along with six from North and Central America and the Caribbean, hosted for the second time by the United States.
With 34 top-three finishes and 128 match victories, Argentina hold the tournament’s all-time records. Messi, tied for seventh on the all-time scoring chart with 13 goals, also leads in assists with 17. Thursday’s match will see Messi break Chile’s Sergio Livingstone’s record by playing his 35th Copa America match.
Argentina, coached by Lionel Scaloni and boasting 21 players from their World Cup-winning squad, are strong contenders for the final on July 14 in Miami, Florida. However, Messi warns against complacency.
“Today, we can say that we are the best because we are the world champions. But that does not make us believe that we are going to win this Copa America by walking,” Messi stated.
Ranked number one in the FIFA world rankings, Argentina will face 49th-ranked Canada, who are using the tournament to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host with the U.S. and Mexico. Canada, led by newly appointed American coach Jesse Marsch, feature a youthful squad with only two players over 30 — goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (30) and midfielder Jonathan Osorio (32) — and 15 players aged 25 or younger.
“I think it’s been good for this new group. It’s kind of a new era and guys are responding really well,” Osorio said.
Messi, who turns 37 on Monday, continues to perform at a high level, scoring 12 goals in 12 matches for Inter Miami in the MLS this season.
Canada’s next match is against Peru on Tuesday, the same day Argentina face Chile. Both teams will conclude their group stage on June 29, with Canada playing Chile and Argentina taking on Peru.
