Argentina and Lionel Messi to Play Two Warm-Up Matches in the US Ahead of Copa America

thiru2 months ago4 weeks ago04 mins

Copa America: Defending Champions Argentina to Face Ecuador and Guatemala in Warm-Up Matches

In Brief:

Argentina will play warm-up matches against Ecuador and Guatemala
Matches to be held in the US next month
Argentina will play Ecuador at Soldier Field, Chicago, on June 9
Guatemala match set for June 14 at Commanders Field, Landover, Maryland

Defending Copa América champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are scheduled to play two warm-up matches in the United States next month as they prepare for the upcoming tournament. According to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Argentina will face Ecuador on June 9 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Five days later, they will take on Guatemala at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland.

These matches will serve as Argentina’s final preparations before they begin their Copa América campaign against Canada on June 20 in Atlanta. Head coach Lionel Scaloni must finalize his 26-man roster for the tournament by June 12. It is anticipated that Scaloni will include most of the players who helped Argentina secure their third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. Argentina is set to compete in Group A alongside Chile and Peru.

Expansion of Squad Size for Copa America 2024

CONMEBOL, the organizing body for Copa América, announced an increase in the squad size for the tournament, which will be held from June 20 to July 14. The squad size has been expanded from 23 to 26 players. “Each team may register up to a maximum of 26 players in the competition, maintaining a total of 50 individuals in the delegation covered by the event’s organization (including accommodation, meals, transportation, etc., as per Chapter 17 of the Competition Regulations),” CONMEBOL stated.

“All players (up to 26) must be included in the Provisional List submitted by May 5, 2024 (6:00 p.m. Paraguay time), according to Article 58 of the Regulations.” The decision was made by CONMEBOL representatives during the FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, aligning with the trend of squad expansion seen in the European Championship.

Copa America, established in 1916, is the oldest ongoing continental tournament in the world and has historically determined the champions of South America. Last year, CONCACAF, the football governing body of North America, collaborated with CONMEBOL to co-host the tournament.