Lionel Messi is back with Argentina as he looks to follow up his Qatar World Cup triumph with a 2024 Copa America success. He is not the only veteran coming along, as he will be joined by Angel Di Maria, and there are plenty of exciting youngsters coming through, such as Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez.
We’ve got all the information about when and where Argentina will be playing this summer.
Group Stage Calendar – Marking the Dates
Here are Argentina’s upcoming fixtures at the Copa.
Game 1: Argentina vs. Canada
- Date: June 21
- Kick-off time: 02:00 CET / 01:00 UK time / 20:00 ET
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
This game should set the tone. A win in Game 1 should mean that at least six points are guaranteed, as well as qualification. Defeat could raise familiar concerns.
Game 2: Chile vs. Argentina
- Date: June 26
- Kick-off time: 03:00 CET / 02:00 UK time / 21:00 ET
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
If Arturo Vidal is at his best, and Alexis Sanchez makes a miraculous recovery, then Argentina will need to be on their guard for any slip-up.
Game 3: Argentina vs. Peru
- Date: June 30
- Kick-off time: 02:00 CET / 01:00 UK time / 20:00 ET
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
A great game to have last. Either the pressure is off and they can rest key players, or they have to get something against the weakest team on paper.
Match Venues
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium holds up to 73,019 for football matches, and the stadium is. the home of both NFL side Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC of MLS.
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
The MetLife Stadium opened in 2010 to replace Giant Stadium and hosts both the New York Giants and New York Jets, and will also host the final of the 2026 FIFA World cup final, and has a capacity of 82,500.
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
The Hard Rock Stadium currently holds up to 63,767 spectators, and hosts the Miami Dolphins NFL team, with some of its grounds being used for the Miami F1 Grand Prix. It will also host several 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, and also will be the host of the 2024 Copa America final.
Key Rivals in the Group – Analyzing the Competition
Argentina are the clear favourites, as World Cup holders and one of the traditionally strongest South American sides. They have three opponents in the group stages.
- Chile: Diego Gareca included a mammoth 55 players in his provisional squad, with veterans Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal included, as well as Gary Medel and Eduardo Vargas. However, Sanchez is reportedly injured for the group stages, so they may struggle to match the talent in Argentina’s squad.
- Canada: Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich is their clear star player as he thunders down the left flank, and Lille striker Jonathan David could soon move onto bigger things in Europe, as could Porto midfielder Stephen Eustaquio. They are more than capable of springing a surprise if those three players are at their best.
- Peru: Peru are the group’s minnows, but midfielder Renato Tapio and Pedro Aquino of Celta and Santos respectively, could be key to their performance.
Star Players – Pillars of Argentina’s Strength
Lionel Messi: Now at Inter Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the reduced demands of life in MLS could offer pros and cons for the legend. He has 12 goals from 13 appearances in the MLS, suggesting he has now settled in, and could be less physically drained. But perhaps his attacking edges have been dulled from the relatively poor quality of competition he faces. He will once again be expected to lead by brilliant example.
Angel Di Maria: Like Messi, is now 36, and while he moved on from Juventus for less harsh demands, he remains a star player for Benfica as he operates in midfield. Seventeen goals last season demonstrate his influence continues, and his experience and maturity could guide the team to glory once more.
Julian Alvarez: Alvarez was once again vital for Manchester City, even if he often plays second fiddle to Erling Haaland 54 appearances show his durability and 19 goals demonstrate shows he possesses a keen eye for goal. This could be the tournament where he blossoms as the side’s new leader.
Tactical Strategies – Argentina’s Game Plan
Lionel Scaloni tends to employ 4-4-2, but he can change between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 depending on the situation. Di Maria can occupy a space on the right, with the left-back such as Nicolas Tagliafico attacking high. Messi moves up on the inside right, giving Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez the role as the main striker.
The team will press defenders high when they don’t have the ball, and if they need to, Martinez will drop back to help out in defence, given Messi’s stamina demands he focuses his energy where possible.
Road to the Knockout Stage – Scenarios and Possibilities
If Argentina finish in the top two, they will face the winner or runner-up of Group B. On paper, that looks most likely to be Ecuador or Mexico, with neither likely to be too much trouble for Scaloni’s men.
That would then see them through to face a Group C or D side, with the top four likeliest sides being the US, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia. The US and Brazil should provide the sternest tests.
Copa America History – Argentina’s Past Performances
Argentina had endured a drought going back to their 1993 triumph until they managed to land the tournament in 2021 in Brazil, the home of their arch enemies. In total, they have won it 15 times, the most wins alongside Uruguay, who they share the record with. Angel Di Maria scored the winner in the last final, the only goal of the game against Brazil in Rio.
Before then, fans were worried that they would somehow miss out on the chance for glory despite Messi’s presence, leading to an antagonistic relationship between fans and players, but the World Cup triumph has led to a more celebratory ambience.
Coach’s Perspective – Strategies and Expectations
Scaloni will likely look to repeat the trick of giving Messi the best chance of expressing himself and making key interventions.
Defensive duties will be shifted around him, including forwards such as Martinez and Alvarez, while Di Maria’s age might also see him protected in the later stages of games if they are winning. Emiliano Martinez’s antics could be employed in any penalty shootouts, as he made himself known as a frustrating and abrasive presence in the goal.
This might be Messi, De Maria and indeed Scaloni’s last appearance with the Argentina national team, so they are determined to make the most of this appearance in the US.
Fan Engagement – Socios.com and Argentina National Team
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