Copa América 2028: the calendar clicks back into place

Back on schedule

The 2024 Copa América was always a slight anomaly — a tournament that arrived just three years after the 2021 edition, partly shaped by pandemic reshuffling and partly by the commercial appeal of staging it across North American venues ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Argentina lifted the trophy again, Lautaro Martínez top-scored, but the calendar still looked improvised.

According to Foot Mercato, a 2028 edition would tidy that up. With the World Cup coming to the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, South American nations would have a clear two-year window between the two biggest competitions on their calendar — a rhythm that coaches and clubs can actually plan around. Until CONMEBOL issues a formal announcement or a second independent source corroborates the report, the 2028 date should be treated as a strong claim rather than a settled fact.

What it means in practice

For CONMEBOL's ten member nations, the four-year cycle matters more than it might appear. Qualification campaigns, squad-building windows, and the careers of players who peak between World Cups all hinge on knowing when the next major tournament lands. A 2028 Copa América would give the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay a clear post-2026 rebuild target — particularly relevant for a Brazil side that will be desperate to respond after consecutive tournament exits, and an Argentina squad that will be navigating life after Messi's international peak.

No host nation has been confirmed yet, per Foot Mercato, so that conversation is still ahead. The host decision — and any official CONMEBOL ratification — is the next thing to watch.

Source: Foot Mercato. No official CONMEBOL statement has been issued at time of publication.