The Copa America gets underway when Argentina and Canada meet in Atlanta on Thursday, with Lionel Messi's FIFA 2022 World Cup winners pre-tournament favorites going all out. Jesse Marsch's Canadian side are up first and although results have been mixed so far with a heavy defeat to the Netherlands but a credible draw against France, this will be their first competitive test.
The South Americans still have much of the talent that allowed them to beat Les Bleus on penalties in Qatar, and Brazil's poor form after the World Cup suggests the Albiceleste are heavy favorites to win on American soil. Now that Peru and Chile are better known than Canada and their 2022 victory also started with a defeat, Argentina has been forewarned.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Thursday June 20 | Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Place: Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia.
- TV: FS1, Univision, TUDN Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Chances: Argentina -333; Sign +400; Canada +900
group A
In addition to Argentina and Canada, there is also Peru and Chile, making this group an interesting mix with the potential for intense and entertaining football. Marsch's men will hope to compete with the Peruvians and Chileans to get behind Messi and his teammates, but this will all be about collective learning ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will again take place on home soil as it is shared by Canada and Mexico. and the US
Team news
Argentina: Paulo Dybala is perhaps the biggest name missing, although there is also Juan Foyth and Lucas Ocampos. All 36 years old, Messi, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi are all extreme veterans but are expected to make significant contributions again, while big-name midfielders Rodrigo de Paul and Leandro Paredes should also be part of Lionel Scaloni's preferred starting XI .
Possible Argentina XI: E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, L. Martinez, Acuna; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Alvarez, Messi, Di Maria.
Canada: This Canadian team is starting to move on from players like Milan Borjan and Lucas Cavallini, while long-time leader Atiba Hutchinson has retired, so he is no longer an option. The team consists of attacking talents such as Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Tajon Buchanan, but there are also players such as Alphonso Davies and Stephen Eustaquio in defense and midfield. Maxime Crepeau is emerging as the new number 1 goalkeeper and British-born Luc de Fougerolles is making his first appearance in a senior squad.
Possible Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnstone, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Buchanan, Kone, Eustaquio, Millar; David, Larin.
Prediction
Expect a tight start ending with a narrow victory for Argentina, but still an encouraging result for Canada. Sclaoni's men should top the group, but the results against Peru and Chile will determine the fate of Marsch and his players – and not that of the world champion. Choose: Argentina 1, Canada 0.
