Copa America Records: Who Are the Historical Favorites?
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
Copa America Records: Who Are the Historical Favorites?
Uruguay and Argentina are the two most successful teams in Copa América history with 15 titles apiece. Brazil are the only other nation to have won the competition more than twice since it was first held in 1916.
This trio are the three favorites for the 2024 edition, with Argentina and Brazil ahead of Uruguay. There is a sizeable gap behind the Uruguayans, with Mexico, Colombia, and the USA leading the outsiders between +1000 and +1400.
Over the last 16 Copa Américas, dating back to 1979, only two countries other than Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay have won the competition. Colombia’s success in 2001, and Chile’s titles in 2015 and 2016 were very much the anomalies in the last four decades of Copa América action.
At SportyTrader you will find the best sportsbooks and predictions for all the matches, from the group stage to the final. In addition, the Copa América 2024 team comparison tool is active to see how the teams stack up against each other!
Favorites for 2024 Copa América
Despite such a rich history in the competition, Uruguay have not gone beyond the quarterfinals of the Copa América since 2011. Argentina have reached the final in five of the last seven tournaments. Brazil have reached the last two finals, but didn’t reach the last four in the 2011, 2015, or 2016 editions.
Argentina’s 29 final appearances are by far the most of any team. Uruguay and Brazil have reached 21 finals apiece. Paraguay have reached the next most finals with eight -- Los Guaraníes are +3000 to reach the 2024 final at FanDuel.
FanDuel prices Argentina as short as -700 to reach the last four of the 2024 Copa América. Brazil are -500 in the same market. The two teams will not meet until the final, and both are heavily favoured to win their respective groups, theoretically setting up easier quarter-final matchups.
Overall Copa América Records
Argentina have the best Copa América record with 425 points. Uruguay have played four more matches than the Argentines, but they have 14 fewer wins. Argentina’s +296 goal difference is also the best in tournament history, with Brazil ranking second on +226.
Of teams to participate in more than one Copa América, Mexico are the only other team (along with the big three) to own a positive goal difference. Mexico reached the final in 1993 and 2001. They were last semi-finalists in 2007.
In the early years of the Copa América, the hosts won the tournament more often than not. Between 1916 and 1946, the hosts lifted the trophy in 12 of the 19 tournaments. Since Uruguay won as hosts in 1995, however, only three hosts have won in 10 tournaments (Colombia in 2001, Chile in 2015, Brazil in 2019).
Hosting the 2024 Copa América, the United States are +500 to reach the final at FanDuel. The Stars and Stripes finished in fourth as hosts in 2016 – they are +185 to reach the semis this time around.
Successful Coaches
After winning the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Scaloni already has a glittering resume. Scaloni now has an opportunity to make history at the 2024 Copa América by becoming the first coach since 1993 to win the competition more than once.
Only four coaches in Copa América have won multiple titles (Ernesto Figoli, Juan Carlos Corazzo, Alfio Basile, Guillermo Stábile).
Scaloni has turned Argentina’s fortunes around, winning their first Copa América since 1993 and their first World Cup since 1986. Will he make it three consecutive titles in the US this summer?
Copa América Winners List
- Argentina: 15 (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959-I, 1991, 1993 and 2021)
- Uruguay: 15 (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959-II, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995 and 2011)
- Brazil: 9 (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007 and 2019)
- Paraguay: 2 (1953, 1979)
- Chile: 2 (2015 and 2016)
- Peru: 2 (1939 and 1975)
- Colombia: 1 (2001)
- Bolivia: 1 (1963)
FYI: Of the 10 South American teams that have played every Copa América tournament, only Ecuador and Venezuela have never lifted the trophy.
