As the anticipation builds, soccer fans are eagerly awaiting the kickoff of the Copa America, which is set to commence with an exciting matchup between Argentina and Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this Thursday.
### Tournament Favorites and Contenders
Argentina, entering the tournament as pre-tournament favorites, are poised to dominate not just the opener but also the entire competition. With Brazil experiencing a dip in form following the World Cup, Lionel Messi and his squad are seen as strong contenders to lift the trophy on U.S. soil.
Jesse Marsch's Canadian team, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle. Canada had a mixed bag of results leading up to Copa America, suffering a defeat against the Netherlands and managing a draw against France. This opening match will be a crucial test of Canada’s readiness and mettle.
### How to Watch and Betting Odds
The Argentina vs. Canada match is scheduled for Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Fans can catch the action live on FS1, Univision, and TUDN, or stream it live on Fubo, with a free trial available.
In terms of betting odds, Argentina is heavily favored at -333, while the odds of a draw are +400 and a Canadian upset sits at +900. These odds underscore the challenge that lies ahead for the Canadian team.
### Group A Dynamics
Group A features Argentina, Canada, Peru, and Chile, promising intense and entertaining soccer throughout the group stage. While Argentina is expected to top the group, the competition among Canada, Peru, and Chile will be fierce, with Canada looking to make a mark ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
### Team News and Lineups
Argentina will be without key players such as Paulo Dybala, Juan Foyth, and Lucas Ocampos. However, the squad boasts seasoned veterans like Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi who are anticipated to play significant roles. Midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes are likely to feature in the starting lineup.
**Possible Argentina XI: E. Martínez; Montiel, Romero, L. Martínez, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Álvarez, Messi, Di María.**
Canada is in a period of transition, moving beyond veteran players like Milan Borjan, Lucas Cavallini, and Atiba Hutchinson. The spotlight will be on emerging talents and key players such as Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies, and Stephen Eustáquio. Additionally, Maxime Crepeau has assumed the role of the No. 1 goalkeeper, and Luc de Fougerolles will be making his senior debut.
**Possible Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnstone, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Buchanan, Koné, Eustáquio, Millar; David, Larin.**
### Predictions and Analysis
The match is expected to start on a tight note, given the stakes and the competitive edge both teams bring. However, Argentina's depth and quality are likely to see them secure a narrow victory. A 1-0 win for Argentina is the predicted outcome, which, while a setback for Canada, would still be an encouraging result given the strength of the opposition.
Argentina is expected to lead Group A, but Canada’s key matches will be against Peru and Chile, where they aim to prove their competitiveness and readiness for future tournaments.
### Insightful Quotes
Copa America gets underway when Argentina and Canada meet in Atlanta on Thursday. This will be Canada's first competitive test. Brazil's post-World Cup dip in form suggests that Argentina are heavy favorites to win on U.S. soil. Argentina has been warned ahead of this one.
This group makes for an interesting blend with potential for intense and entertaining soccer. This will all be about learning collectively with a view to the 2026 World Cup. The 2026 World Cup will be on home soil shared across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. This result will be encouraging for Canada. Pick: Argentina 1, Canada 0.