Copa America 2024 Team Previews: Canada
The 2024 Copa America begins on June 20th in the United States, with six CONCACAF teams set to compete in the tournament. Over the next couple of weeks, we will preview every team playing in the competition. Up next in their first Copa America appearance: Canada!
The Canadian Nation Team has been on the rise in recent years in the CONCACAF region. While Mexico and the United States are the two giants in North America, Canada has slowly been nudging itself closer and closer to their level. While not quite there, it is a slow and steady process for them. Heading into the Copa America, Canada is ranked 49th in the FIFA rankings.
Copa America Appearances
This will be the Canadian’s first-ever actual Copa America they have played in. Canada has tried to qualify in the past but has failed. The nation also had received invites in the past but withdrew from the competition.
Best Finish in Copa America
Since this is the first Copa America for Canada, there was no previous better finish. But the good news for the Canadian National Team is that their finish in the 2024 Copa America will be their best!
Key Players
Highlighting Canada’s squad heading into the Copa America is Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies. The most notable player on the roster, Davies will have the pressure to lead the team into the knockout rounds. In 29 games with Bayern in the Bundesliga season, Davies registered 8 G/A.
In the main striker position for Canada will be Lille’s Jonathan David. In Ligue 1 this season, David had 23 G/A in 34 matches for the club.
The Canadian National Team will have a new keeper in between the posts, as longtime GK Milan Borjan was not called up for the Copa America. Canada will have Maxime Crépeau or Dayne St. Clair to replace Borjan who had been called up for Canada since 2011.
Manager
Canada recently hired Jesse Marsch to lead the team to the Copa America and the 2026 World Cup. The American-born coach brings European experience to the Canadian National Team. Marsch last managed Leeds United in the Premier League.
Biggest Game — vs Peru on June 25th
Canada will open the group stage with a loss to Argentina. This isn’t a knock on Canada’s players, but praise of how good Argentina is currently. The second match in the group stage would be against Peru in a must-win (or draw) match. With the opening loss to the 2021 Copa America winners, Canada has to win the remaining games in the group stage. Canada would close the group stage against Chile, but the Canadians would have to focus on Peru first.
Prediction
I like this Canadian team. I believe they finish second in their group behind Argentina with an upset over Chile sending them to the knockout rounds. Canada will find themselves in the quarterfinals against Mexico, where their Copa America run comes to an end. Though Canada won’t go down without a fight, I see the Mexico v Canada match ending in 3-2.
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