Copa América

Copa América
Name	Copa América
Founded	1916
Region	South America (CONMEBOL)
Number of teams	12 (since 2024)
Current champions	Argentina (15th title)
Most successful team	Argentina (15 titles)

Contents

History
Format
Results
Records and statistics
Trophy
See also

Copa América. The premier international men's football competition contested by the senior national teams of South America and organized by CONMEBOL. It is the oldest still-running continental football competition in the world, predating even the FIFA World Cup. The tournament has featured guest nations from other confederations, such as Mexico and the United States, and its winners have historically included football powerhouses like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

History

The tournament was first held in 1916 in Argentina to celebrate the centenary of Argentine independence, with the participating nations being Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay; Uruguay won that inaugural edition. Initially known as the South American Championship of Nations, it was organized irregularly until 1975 when it adopted its current name and a more structured format. Throughout its history, the competition has been a stage for legendary players, from Pelé and Diego Maradona to modern stars like Lionel Messi. Key moments in its history include the dominance of Uruguay in its early decades, the intense rivalry between Argentina and Brazil, and the expansion to include guest teams from CONCACAF like Mexico and Japan.

Format

The competition format has varied significantly over the decades, but since the 1990s, it has generally featured a group stage followed by a knockout phase. Traditionally, the ten CONMEBOL member nations qualify automatically, with two additional guest teams often invited from other confederations such as CONCACAF or the AFC. The teams are drawn into groups, typically two or three, with the top teams from each group, and sometimes the best runners-up, advancing to the quarter-finals. The knockout stage then proceeds through single-match elimination rounds—quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place match, and the final—with matches tied after regulation time being decided by penalty shoot-outs.

Results

Uruguay and Argentina have been the most successful nations historically, with Argentina holding the record for most titles as of 2024. Brazil, while dominant in the FIFA World Cup, has won fewer titles but has been a formidable opponent, with memorable victories in tournaments like the 2019 edition held on home soil. Other nations have also claimed the trophy, including Chile, which won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, and Peru and Paraguay, which have each won two titles. The most recent champion is Argentina, which won the 2021 final against Brazil at the Maracanã Stadium.

Records and statistics

The all-time top scorer is Argentine forward Lionel Messi, who is also the player with the most appearances in the tournament's history. Other notable scoring records are held by Brazilian legends like Pelé and Zizinho, and Uruguayan striker Ángel Romano. In terms of team achievements, Uruguay holds the record for the most consecutive titles, winning four times between 1916 and 1923. The highest-scoring final occurred in 1937 when Argentina defeated Brazil. The tournament has been hosted by various nations across the continent, with Argentina hosting the most editions.

Trophy

The current trophy, used since the 2015 edition in Chile, is a new design created by the Epico Studio in Santiago. It replaced the original historic trophy, which was permanently awarded to Argentina in 2024 after their 15th title. The original trophy, known as the Copa América, was crafted in 1916 in Buenos Aires by the jewelry house Casa Escasany and featured a silver base with golden details. The new trophy is made of sterling silver and gold plate, standing 61 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 7.1 kilograms, symbolizing the continental competition's prestige.

History

Format

Results

Records and statistics

Trophy

See also