Summary
The highly anticipated Copa America is set to kick off with a thrilling matchup between Argentina and Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this Thursday. With Argentina coming into the tournament as favorites, all eyes will be on this opening game to gauge their form and Canada's readiness for such a significant test.
Argentina, buoyed by their impressive talent pool and recent performances, is heavily favored to dominate, especially with Brazil's recent dip in form bolstering their position. Meanwhile, Jesse Marsch's Canadian team faces a formidable challenge. The team's mixed results in their lead-up matches, which included a defeat against the Netherlands and a draw against France, will be fresh on their minds as they prepare to battle one of the world's top footballing nations.
The tournament presents a crucial litmus test for both teams, particularly Canada, as they strategize and refine their squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be hosted on home soil.
Match Details and Viewing Information
For fans eager to catch the action live, here are the essential details:
- Date: Thursday, June 20
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- TV Channels: FS1, Univision, TUDN
- Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
As for the betting odds, Argentina stands as the clear favorite at -333, with a draw at +400 and Canada trailing at +900.
Group A Overview
Group A consists of Argentina, Canada, Peru, and Chile, promising a lineup of intense and entertaining soccer. Argentina aims to top the group with commanding performances while Canada looks to make a significant impact and compete strongly against Peru and Chile. For Canada, this tournament is as much about gaining experience as it is about immediate success, serving as a vital step toward their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Team News and Lineups
Both teams have some notable absences and exciting talent to watch out for.
Argentina: The squad is missing key players like Paulo Dybala, Juan Foyth, and Lucas Ocampos. However, they will rely heavily on their veteran stars such as Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi to lead the charge. In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes are expected to start, providing stability and creativity.
Possible Argentina XI: E. Martínez; Montiel, Romero, L. Martínez, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Álvarez, Messi, Di María.
Canada: The Canadian team is in a transition phase, moving beyond players like Milan Borjan, Lucas Cavallini, and Atiba Hutchinson, with new talents emerging. Key players such as Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies, and Stephen Eustáquio will be crucial. Maxime Crepeau steps in as the new No. 1 goalkeeper, and Luc de Fougerolles makes his senior debut.
Possible Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnstone, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Buchanan, Koné, Eustáquio, Millar; David, Larin.
Match Prediction
This match is expected to start tightly contested, but Argentina's superior quality is likely to prevail as the game progresses. A narrow victory for Argentina is the predicted outcome, reflecting their status as tournament favorites while acknowledging Canada's potential to put up a commendable fight.
Prediction: Argentina 1, Canada 0
Quotes and Insights
The Copa America gets underway when Argentina and Canada clash in Atlanta on Thursday, marking Canada's first competitive test on this stage. With Brazil's recent struggles, Argentina appears to be the strong favorites to claim glory on U.S. soil.
The group dynamics promise an interesting mix of intense and engaging soccer. For Canada, the tournament is more about collective learning and gaining experience with an eye toward the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
Despite the predicted narrow win for Argentina, this result would be encouraging for Canada, highlighting their capabilities and areas for improvement as they prepare for future competitions. The key matches for Canada will be against Peru and Chile, where they can showcase their progress and ambition.