Copa América Could Be Heading Back to the United States in 2028

The Copa América could be heading back to the United States. Just two years after Argentina lifted the trophy in Miami, the 2028 edition is once again being linked with a return to American soil, with the latest reports suggesting that the United States has moved ahead of Argentina and Ecuador in the race to host South America’s premier international tournament.

According to recent reports from The Times, CONMEBOL has identified the United States as the leading option for the 2028 tournament, although the confederation has not yet made an official announcement.

The possibility of returning to the U.S. has been developing for months. CONMEBOL and CONCACAF have been in discussions about bringing the tournament back to North America, with the success of the 2024 edition and the infrastructure already in place across the United States playing an important role in the discussions. Earlier reports from Reuters indicated that negotiations had been ongoing, while CONMEBOL stressed at the time that nothing had been finalized. 

If the plan goes ahead, the tournament could once again follow the expanded format used in 2024, bringing together the 10 CONMEBOL national teams with six representatives from CONCACAF. That would create another Copa América featuring some of the biggest teams from both sides of the continent, while also giving the United States, Mexico and other CONCACAF nations the opportunity to compete against South American opposition.

That possibility would be particularly interesting for the United States. After co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup and beginning its next cycle with a heavily youth-oriented USMNT squad, another Copa América on home soil could provide Mauricio Pochettino’s team with a high-level competitive environment during the build-up to the 2030 World Cup. The Americans also participated in the 2024 tournament, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

For Mexico, a return to the 2024 model could also open the door to another Copa América appearance. Recent reports indicate that if CONMEBOL and CONCACAF maintain a joint format, Mexican participation would once again be possible, although the qualification criteria and the number of CONCACAF places have not yet been determined. 

The potential host would also benefit from an infrastructure standpoint. The United States will have just completed the 2026 World Cup, meaning a large number of stadiums, training facilities, transportation networks and event operations will already have been tested at the highest level. The 2024 Copa América also demonstrated the commercial potential of staging the competition in the country, attracting approximately 1.6 million spectators across the tournament. 

There is, however, one major complication: the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The Games are scheduled for July 14-30, creating a potential clash with the traditional June-July window for Copa América. Reports have suggested that the tournament dates would therefore need to be adjusted if the United States is selected, adding another logistical issue to an already crowded American sporting calendar. 

The timing would also make the tournament particularly intriguing. The 2028 Copa América would arrive only two years after the World Cup and two years before the next FIFA World Cup, placing it in the middle of the new international cycle. For emerging players across the Americas, it could become one of the first major opportunities to establish themselves at senior level.

Argentina would enter the tournament as the defending champion if the United States ultimately gets the hosting rights. Lionel Scaloni’s side won the 2024 edition after defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, securing another major international title in what became another memorable chapter for La Albiceleste.

For now, the key word remains potential. CONMEBOL has not officially announced the host, and the tournament’s final format, participating teams and dates are still to be confirmed. But with the United States reportedly leading the race, the Copa América could be preparing for another trip north — and another tournament in a country that is rapidly becoming one of the central stages for international soccer in the Americas.