Summary:
The Copa America will kick off with Argentina facing Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this Thursday. Fans are eagerly anticipating the tournament, with Argentina being the pre-tournament favorites. Jesse Marsch’s Canadian team faces a significant challenge as they look to prove their readiness on an international stage.
Canada’s mixed results leading up to the Copa America, including a defeat against the Netherlands and a draw with France, have generated some anxiety among Canadian fans. As they prepare to face Argentina, one of the world’s top teams, this match will serve as a crucial test of Canada’s capabilities and readiness for bigger stages.
Argentina, on the other hand, aims to dominate the tournament on U.S. soil. With Brazil's recent dip in form, Argentina’s status as the favorite has been further strengthened.
How to Watch and Odds:
Date: Thursday, June 20
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
TV: FS1, Univision, TUDN
Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Odds: Argentina -333; Draw +400; Canada +900
Group A Overview:
Group A consists of Argentina, Canada, Peru, and Chile. This grouping promises to deliver intense and entertaining soccer. While Argentina is expected to top the group, Canada aims to compete fiercely with Peru and Chile. Despite the tough competition, this tournament will serve as a valuable learning experience for Canada, especially as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host alongside Mexico and the United States.
Team News:
Argentina:
Argentina will be missing key players such as Paulo Dybala, Juan Foyth, and Lucas Ocampos. However, veterans like Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi are expected to play significant roles. Central midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes are also likely to start.
Possible Argentina XI: E. Martínez; Montiel, Romero, L. Martínez, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Álvarez, Messi, Di María.
Canada:
Canada is currently in a transitional phase, moving beyond players like Milan Borjan, Lucas Cavallini, and Atiba Hutchinson. Despite these changes, new talents are emerging and stepping up to the plate. Some of Canada’s top players include Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies, and Stephen Eustáquio. Maxime Crépeau is expected to take on the role of the new No. 1 goalkeeper, while Luc de Fougerolles is set to make his senior debut.
Possible Canada XI: Crépeau; Johnstone, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Buchanan, Koné, Eustáquio, Millar; David, Larin.
Prediction:
The match is likely to begin tightly contested, but Argentina is expected to win narrowly. A predicted scoreline of Argentina 1, Canada 0 reflects both Argentina's strength and the progress Canada is making. Even a loss with a narrow margin would be an encouraging result for Canada, offering them valuable insights and experience as they aim to compete more fiercely against Peru and Chile in subsequent matches. Argentina is expected to finish at the top of the group, while Canada will focus on gaining competitive experience for the 2026 World Cup.
Quotes:
"Copa America gets underway when Argentina and Canada meet in Atlanta on Thursday." This opening match will be Canada's first true competitive test of the tournament. Facing Argentina, a heavy favorite, Canada is aware of the challenge they face. "Brazil's post-World Cup dip in form suggests that Argentina are heavy favorites to win on U.S. soil," further highlights Argentina's dominant position.
In Group A, "the mix of teams makes for an interesting blend with potential for intense and entertaining soccer." For Canada, "this will all be about learning collectively with a view to the 2026 World Cup," which will be hosted on their home soil shared across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. A narrow loss to Argentina would still be an "encouraging result for Canada," aligning with the prediction: "Pick: Argentina 1, Canada 0."