The Argentine National Team has officially begun preparations for the defense of its Copa América title, transitioning into full gear as they arrived in Miami this Sunday. Their stay in Miami precedes upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala, which serve as preliminary matches before the June 12 deadline to finalize the team roster for the Copa América. The journey commenced from Buenos Aires late Saturday, with Coach Lionel Scaloni overseeing the arrival of roughly half of the 29 called-up players.
Highlighting the squad's depth and readiness, notable names such as Ángel Correa, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, and Enzo Fernández were among the players to first arrive at their concentration hotel. Meanwhile, established stars like Ángel Di María, Emiliano Martínez, and Nicolás Otamendi are set to join shortly, fresh from their brief vacations. Superstar Lionel Messi, who played for Inter Miami on Saturday, will integrate with the team during a relaxed dinner at the Le Meridien Hotel in Fort Lauderdale.
Argentina's week-long training stint will be conducted at the Las Garzas facility, conveniently located just a 20-minute bus ride from their base. Attention then shifts to their demanding first friendly against Ecuador at Chicago’s Soldier Field Stadium on Sunday evening—a team that previously tested Argentina’s mettle in World Cup qualifiers. This match will be followed by a second friendly against Guatemala in Washington D.C., set for June 14.
The final squad selection poses challenges for Scaloni, particularly given the competitive nature among the forwards and defenders. Carboni, Barco, Balerdi, and Martínez Quarta are all vying for limited slots. By June 12, the roster will be trimmed to a final 26 players who will open their Copa América campaign against Canada on June 20 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Subsequent group stage matches include fixtures against Chile and Peru.
Messi's individual preparation is noteworthy, having played nine out of Inter Miami’s last eleven games post-injury, accumulating impressive stats with eight goals and nine assists. His high level of play will be pivotal given Argentina's aspirations in the tournament. The Copa América 2024, hosted in the United States, sees Argentina defending their title starting from June 20, with the climax set for July 14 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
- Coach Lionel Scaloni has the task of finalizing the 26-man squad by June 12, which will be crucial for Argentina’s quest to defend their Copa América title. The dilemma chiefly lies in the forward and defensive line-ups, with significant competition for places.
- From their base in Miami, Argentina will face Ecuador in a friendly match at Soldier Field in Chicago and Guatemala at Fedex Stadium in Washington, D.C., tuning up their gameplay in anticipation of tough competition. The team will also train at the Inter Miami stadium, which allows Messi to maintain familiarity with the surroundings.
- Lionel Messi’s recent form with Inter Miami has been stellar, following his return from injury. His offensive contributions will be fundamental for Argentina as they aim to replicate their success from the 2021 Copa América.
- Apart from the six CONMEBOL teams, the 2024 Copa América includes six teams from the CONCACAF region—Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, USA, Panama, and Costa Rica—making it a diverse and competitive tournament.
- Argentina's schedule for the group stage is set, beginning with a fixture against Canada on June 20 in Atlanta, then Chile on June 25 in New Jersey, and concluding with Peru on June 29 in Miami. The quarterfinals will commence from July 4, leading to the semifinals on July 9 and 10, with the final showdown scheduled for July 14.
