The oldest worldwide soccer event on this planet kicks off Thursday night time – with Atlanta internet hosting Copa América’s opening match on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Lionel Messi and reigning champion Argentina will begin their protection towards Canada in what might be the all-time nice’s last worldwide event.

The forty eighth version of Copa América is being held throughout 14 U.S. cities. Although it’s normally reserved for South American CONMEBOL groups, six groups from the CONCACAF area, by which Mexico and the U.S. play, will function.

Do they stand an opportunity towards the would possibly of South American fútbol, or will Messi add one other main trophy to his legendary profession?

NPR’s Michel Martin talked to Jon Arnold, a soccer journalist who runs the e-newsletter Getting CONCACAfed, and who might be masking this 12 months’s event.

Right here’s what he’s looking forward to:

This might be Messi’s final worldwide event

The Argentina and Inter Miami FC ahead is nearing the twilight of his profession. However Messi will not be displaying any indicators of slowing down and his staff are favorites to repeat as champions, Arnold says.

“Despite the fact that Messi is getting previous in a soccer sense, he is nonetheless top-of-the-line gamers on this planet. He proved it in 2022 when Argentina received the World Cup. He proved it the 12 months earlier than that when Argentina received this event, the Copa América,” Arnold stated.

What the U.S. Males’s Nationwide Workforce has to show

Arnold says the stress is on primarily for Coach Gregg Berhalter, who’s hoping to guide the staff into the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S., Mexico and Canada will host.

If issues don’t go effectively, Arnold stated, “then there’s going to be loads of folks saying that they might do a greater job and asking for a unique supervisor. So I actually assume that the U.S. has an enormous likelihood to show that they are heading in the right direction. However you could possibly additionally see a staff that perhaps wants a unique path.”

However does the USMNT stand an opportunity to win the event?

Arnold says he can’t fairly see the U.S. knocking out Argentina or profitable the event, however the staff has improved.

“If you take a look at this event, it is Argentina and the chasing pack. But when the U.S. is in that pack, that is progress,” Arnold stated.

What different international locations ought to viewers maintain a watch out for

Arnold says he’s excited to see Uruguay, Argentina’s neighbor.

“They are a small nation, however they’ve actually punched above their weight on the worldwide soccer degree,” Arnold stated. “They are going to have video games towards the U.S. within the group stage, after which they’re going to probably play Brazil [or] Colombia within the subsequent spherical. I believe it’ll be a very enjoyable staff to look at if you wish to go just a little deeper than simply the U.S.”

Invited groups from CONCACAF additionally would possibly make for a extra aggressive event, Arnold says.

“The U.S., Mexico, even international locations like Costa Rica and Panama have proven that they’ll compete with a few of these greater groups from South America in current worldwide competitions,” Arnold stated. “So I do assume it will add an additional ingredient of problem for lots of the South American groups that need to elevate their continental championship.”

What’s the construction?

The 16-team subject is break up into 4 teams. Every staff will play three video games within the group stage. The highest two groups from every group will transfer on to the knockout stage.

The teams are:

Group A: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Peru

Group B: Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Venezuela

Group C: Bolivia, Panama, United States, Uruguay

Group D: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay

The ultimate is ready for July 14 on the Arduous Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Methods to watch:

Matches might be broadcast on FOX, FS1 and FS2. Spanish-language broadcasts might be obtainable on Univision, TUDN and UniMas.

Matches may also be streamed on the Fox Sports activities app and in Spanish on Vix+, Univision’s streaming platform.

The digital model of this story was edited by Treye Inexperienced.