The next Copa America is expected in summer 2028, and Argentina will enter as the two-time defending champion. La Albiceleste edged Colombia 1-0 in extra time in the 2024 final, played at Miami Gardens, Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium, with Lautaro Martínez scoring in the 112th minute to clinch a record 16th continental crown.
A lot has changed since that night. Argentina fell 1-0 to Spain in extra time in the 2026 World Cup final, and Lionel Messi has since stepped away from the national team. Brazil and Uruguay both left that World Cup early, so the 2028 field looks more open than it has in years. Below, LegalSportsReport covers what we know about the next tournament, when Copa America odds should reach US sportsbooks and how the leading contenders stack up.
When is the next Copa America?
The 49th edition of the tournament is expected to run in June and July 2028. CONMEBOL has not officially announced dates, venues or a final format.
The United States is the reported frontrunner to host for a second straight edition. Reports since late 2025 have described CONMEBOL and CONCACAF in advanced talks, and an October 2026 report said bids from Argentina and Ecuador had been passed over. Ecuador was next in line under the confederation’s usual hosting rotation.
Several key details are still being worked out:
- Field size: All 10 CONMEBOL nations are expected to compete alongside invited guest teams. Expanding from 16 to 20 teams has reportedly been discussed, which would open more spots for CONCACAF sides.
- Timing: The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles run July 14-30, so a US-hosted Copa would likely need to finish before then or avoid California venues.
- Host decision: Nothing is official yet. We’ll update this page once CONMEBOL confirms the host and schedule.
Until that announcement arrives, treat any specific dates or host cities you see as unconfirmed.
Copa America 2028 odds: When will futures open?
US sportsbooks have not posted 2028 Copa America futures yet. Outright winner markets for major international tournaments usually appear once the host and field are set, and group winner, to-advance and top scorer markets typically follow the draw. Expect the deepest menus at the leading soccer sportsbooks, and see our Copa America betting guide for where to wager once markets go live. If you’re newer to the sport, our breakdown of how to bet on soccer covers the main market types.
Without prices to go on, the 2026 World Cup offers the best early read. Argentina is still the team to beat after reaching another world final, though it will be adjusting to life without Messi. Colombia made the knockout rounds again and returns much of the group that reached the 2024 Copa final. Brazil and Uruguay both have ground to make up after disappointing summers.
Copa America 2028 contenders
Four South American powers look like the early names to watch for 2028, based on recent tournament form and squad depth.
Argentina
Argentina has won the last two Copa America titles plus the 2022 World Cup, and it came within one goal of another world championship in 2026. The bigger question for 2028 is leadership. Messi has bowed out of international play, and coach Lionel Scaloni’s contract runs through the end of 2026 with his future still undecided. A younger core led by Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández should keep Argentina at or near the top of the board either way.
Brazil
Brazil owns nine Copa America titles, but just one of them has come in the last six editions, when it hosted and won in 2019. The Seleção lost the 2021 final to Argentina, went out to Uruguay on penalties in the 2024 quarterfinals and then suffered a 2-1 loss to Norway in the 2026 World Cup round of 16. The talent pool remains as deep as any in the world, so expect Brazil to open among the shortest prices regardless of recent stumbles.
Uruguay
Uruguay sits one title behind Argentina with 15 Copa America crowns. La Celeste won its 2024 group, knocked out Brazil in the quarterfinals and took third place by beating Canada in a shootout. The 2026 World Cup was a different story: Uruguay went home after the group stage with two points from a loss to Spain and draws with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. That puts it in rebuild mode, which could mean longer odds and more value once markets open.
Colombia
Colombia carried a 28-match unbeaten run into the 2024 final before Argentina ended it, and James Rodríguez was named the tournament’s best player. Los Cafeteros backed that up by reaching the 2026 World Cup round of 16, where they lost to Switzerland on penalties after a scoreless draw. Colombia’s only Copa America title came in 2001, but few teams in South America have been as consistent over the past few years.
2024 Copa America recap
The 2024 tournament ran June 20 to July 14 across 14 US venues and featured 16 teams: all 10 CONMEBOL members and six CONCACAF invitees. Argentina and Colombia each topped their group, and their final was pushed back by crowd problems outside Hard Rock Stadium. Canada was the surprise of the event, reaching the semifinals in its Copa America debut before falling to Argentina. Here’s how the group stage and knockout rounds played out.
| Stage | Result |
|---|---|
| Group A | Argentina first, Canada second |
| Group B | Venezuela first, Ecuador second |
| Group C | Uruguay first, Panama second |
| Group D | Colombia first, Brazil second |
| Quarterfinal | Argentina 1, Ecuador 1 (Argentina won 4-2 on penalties) |
| Quarterfinal | Venezuela 1, Canada 1 (Canada won 4-3 on penalties) |
| Quarterfinal | Colombia 5, Panama 0 |
| Quarterfinal | Uruguay 0, Brazil 0 (Uruguay won 4-2 on penalties) |
| Semifinal | Argentina 2, Canada 0 |
| Semifinal | Colombia 1, Uruguay 0 |
| Third place | Uruguay 2, Canada 2 (Uruguay won 4-3 on penalties) |
| Final | Argentina 1, Colombia 0 (extra time) |
Lautaro Martínez took the Golden Boot with five goals, and Emiliano Martínez won best goalkeeper honors for the second straight Copa. Those results will shape how oddsmakers frame the 2028 board, with Argentina and Colombia likely leading the way.
Copa America odds FAQ
The next edition is expected in June and July 2028. Official dates have not been announced.
No host has been confirmed. The United States is reportedly the leading candidate, which would make it the second straight Copa held on US soil.
Argentina won the 2024 Copa America, beating Colombia 1-0 in extra time in Miami Gardens. It was Argentina’s second consecutive title after winning in 2021.
Argentina leads with 16 titles, one more than Uruguay. Brazil ranks third with nine.
CONMEBOL has only 10 members, so it invites guest nations to fill out the field. In 2024, all six invitees came from CONCACAF, among them Canada, Mexico and the US. A US-hosted 2028 event would likely follow a similar model.
Sportsbooks have not opened 2028 futures yet. Expect outright winner odds once the host and field are confirmed, with group and player markets added after the draw.
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We’ll add 2028 Copa America futures to this page as soon as US sportsbooks post them.