Out of the six different regions affiliated by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), one of the oldest, most followed and dominant regions is the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) which is the only region who have won more World Cups (10) after the European giants (12). So for the teams in the region, Copa America is the most prestigious trophy after the World Cup. Lionel Messi to Lead Defending Champions as Argentina Announces Provisional Squad for Copa America 2024, Paulo Dybala Out.
There have been eight different winners of the competition in the 47 previous tournaments. The teams with rich football talents like Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay have dominated the competition with the rarest of the surprise winners making history in the tournament. But with number of participating teams increasing, the competition Is getting interesting and tougher, even for Champion sides.
Copa America Winners List
| Event | Year | Winners | Runners-up |
| 47 | 2021 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 46 | 2019 | Brazil | Peru |
| 45 | 2016 | Chile | Argentina |
| 44 | 2015 | Chile | Argentina |
| 43 | 2011 | Uruguay | Paraguay |
| 42 | 2007 | Brazil | Argentina |
| 41 | 2004 | Brazil | Argentina |
| 40 | 2001 | Colombia | Mexico |
| 39 | 1999 | Brazil | Uruguay |
| 38 | 1997 | Brazil | Bolivia |
| 37 | 1995 | Uruguay | Brazil |
| 36 | 1993 | Argentina | Mexico |
| 35 | 1991 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 34 | 1989 | Brazil | Uruguay |
| 33 | 1987 | Uruguay | Chile |
| 32 | 1983 | Uruguay | Brazil |
| 31 | 1979 | Paraguay | Chile |
| 30 | 1975 | Peru | Colombia |
| 29 | 1967 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 28 | 1963 | Bolivia | Paraguay |
| 27 | 1959 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 26 | 1959 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 25 | 1957 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 24 | 1956 | Uruguay | Chile |
| 23 | 1955 | Argentina | Chile |
| 22 | 1953 | Paraguay | Brazil |
| 21 | 1949 | Brazil | Paraguay |
| 20 | 1947 | Argentina | Paraguay |
| 19 | 1946 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 18 | 1945 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 17 | 1942 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 16 | 1941 | Argentina | Uruguay |
| 15 | 1939 | Peru | Uruguay |
| 14 | 1937 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 13 | 1935 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 12 | 1929 | Argentina | Paraguay |
| 11 | 1927 | Argentina | Uruguay |
| 10 | 1926 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 9 | 1925 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 8 | 1924 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 7 | 1923 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 6 | 1922 | Brazil | Paraguay |
| 5 | 1921 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 4 | 1920 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 3 | 1919 | Brazil | Uruguay |
| 2 | 1917 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1 | 1916 | Uruguay | Argentina |
Argentina has been one of the most successful countries in the Copa America tournament with 15 titles in 29 finals appearances. Equalling their titles tally is Uruguay who made it to the 21 Copa America Finals. Brazil is another dominating nation in the tournament with nine titles in 20 finals. Copa America 2024: Top Five Teams To Watch Out for in South American Football Championship.
Mexico remains the only finalist of the Copa America without a trophy. They made it to the 1993 and 2001 Copa America finals but lost the title to Argentina and Colombia respectively. It was the only Copa America Championship for Colombia and joined Bolivia (1963) as the winner single continental trophy.
With players like Lionel Messi, Rodrigo, Vinicius Jr. and Luis Suarez playing in the tournament, fans can expect an eye-pleasing and entertaining tournament once again. Argentina is one of the favourites of the competition after their 2022 World Cup win and will try to script history as only the second team to win back-to-back continental titles and a World Cup in between. Spain achieved the feat during their impressive run in 2008-2012.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 12, 2024 07:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).