Summary
The Copa America is set to commence with an exciting opener: Argentina versus Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this Thursday. Fans are eagerly anticipating the tournament, with Argentina positioned as the pre-tournament favorites. For Jesse Marsch’s Canadian team, this fixture presents a significant challenge that will test their readiness on a major stage.
Canada has had mixed results leading up to the Copa America, experiencing a defeat against the Netherlands and a draw against France. This matchup with Argentina will be a true measure of their preparedness. On the other hand, Argentina is aiming to dominate on U.S. soil, bolstered by Brazil's recent dip in form, which further strengthens their status as favorites.
How to Watch and Odds
Fans can catch the match on Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The game will be broadcast on FS1, Univision, and TUDN, and is available for live stream on Fubo, which offers a free trial. The odds are heavily in Argentina's favor at -333, with a draw at +400, and Canada as the underdogs at +900.
Group A Overview
Group A consists of Argentina, Canada, Peru, and Chile, promising an array of intense and entertaining matches. Canada aims to compete fiercely with Peru and Chile, using the tournament as a valuable learning experience ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted on home soil in Canada, alongside Mexico and the U.S.
Team News
Argentina
Argentina will be without key players like Paulo Dybala, Juan Foyth, and Lucas Ocampos for this tournament. However, they will rely on their seasoned veterans: Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi, who are expected to play significant roles. Midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes are likely starters, providing stability and creativity.
Possible Argentina XI: Emiliano Martínez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Marcos Acuña; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso; Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María.
Canada
Canada is in the midst of transitioning beyond stalwarts like Milan Borjan, Lucas Cavallini, and Atiba Hutchinson, ushering in a new generation of talent. Key players for Canada include Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies, and Stephen Eustáquio. Maxime Crepeau has stepped up as the new number one goalkeeper, and Luc de Fougerolles is set to make his senior debut.
Possible Canada XI: Maxime Crepeau; Alistair Johnston, Moïse Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Alphonso Davies; Tajon Buchanan, Ismaël Koné, Stephen Eustáquio, Liam Millar; Jonathan David, Cyle Larin.
Prediction
The match is anticipated to start tightly, with Canada likely to focus on a disciplined defensive approach. However, Argentina's quality is expected to shine through, potentially leading to a narrow victory. A predicted final score of Argentina 1, Canada 0 seems likely, a result that would still be encouraging for the Canadian side as they build up to future challenges.
In this group, Argentina is expected to finish at the top, while Canada will target key matches against Peru and Chile to advance further in the tournament.
Quotes
"Copa America gets underway when Argentina and Canada meet in Atlanta on Thursday," one analyst noted. "This will be Canada’s first competitive test.”
Another observer commented on Brazil’s form, "Brazil's post-World Cup dip suggests that Argentina are the heavy favorites to win on U.S. soil."
Looking ahead to the broader impact of the tournament for the Canadian team, "This group makes for an interesting blend with the potential for intense and entertaining soccer," and in the long run, "this will be all about learning collectively with a view to the 2026 World Cup."
The excitement is palpable as the opening match draws near, and while Argentina is favored, Canada’s ambition and new talents suggest that they will not make it easy for their opponents. The outcome will not only set the tone for Group A but also offer crucial insights into where these teams stand in their respective soccer journeys.
Ultimately, the predicted scoreline of Argentina 1, Canada 0 encapsulates the anticipated competitive nature of the fixture, providing a thrilling start to the Copa America.