USA and Colombia kick the tournament off in San Francisco on Friday night, but who will reach the final in New Jersey on June 26?
Here is your ultimate guide, featuring analysis of each of the 16 teams, the full squad, the coach, which players to watch out for and the fixtures.
For answers to other key questions, a list of the venues, where you can watch and more details, read Sportsmail’s Copa America Q&A.
And you can also read about 10 key Copa America players, beyond the obvious picks like Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and Luis Suarez.
Last year’s champions Chile celebrate with the trophy, but who will win this year in the United States?
GROUP A: USA, Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica
This is where you’ll find the hosts USA, but unlike Chile last year, they don’t have an easy ride. All four teams in this group will believe they have enough substance to get out of it. It’s an intriguing combination, but it could lead to some fairly defensive football, especially where Paraguay are involved.
FIXTURES (All times UK)
USA v Colombia, June 4, Santa Clara, CA, 2.30am
Costa Rica v Paraguay, June 4, Orlando, FL 10pm
USA v Costa Rica, June 8, Chicago, IL, 1am
Colombia v Paraguay, June 8, Pasadena, CA, 3.30am
USA v Paraguay, June 12, Philadelphia, PA, 12am
Colombia v Costa Rica, June 12, Houston, TX, 2am
Colorado Rapids midfielder Jermaine Jones’ intensity and aggression will be key for the hosts
UNITED STATES
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Ethan Horvath (Molde IK)
Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (FC Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), Perry Kitchen (Heart of Midlothian), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)
Forwards: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Hamburg SV), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy).
Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
Dortmund’s 17-year-old star Christian Pulisic could be the USA’s breakout player of the tournament
Star man: Jermaine Jones. He leaves everything he’s got on the pitch, demanding more of his team-mates and adding both aggression and intensity to the midfield.
Also watch out for: Christian Pulisic is 17 and an excellent prospect. He plays for Borussia Dortmund and had cameos against both Tottenham and Liverpool from the bench in the Europa League. This could be his breakout tournament.
Verdict: They have to get out of the group to meet the minimum demands of the ‘American Outlaws’ fanbase. Doing so while playing good football will be a plus, but that won’t be easy.
James Rodriguez had a poor season for Real Madrid but will still be the key man for Colombia
COLOMBIA
Goalkeepers: Cristian Bonilla (Atletico Nacional), David Ospina (Arsenal), Robinson Zapata (Santa Fe)
Defenders: Felipe Aguilar (Atletico Nacional), Santiago Arias (PSV), Farid Diaz (Atletico Nacional), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors), Stefan Medina (Pachuca), Jeison Murillo (Inter Milan), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Guillermo Celis (Junior), Juan Cuadrado (Juventus), Sebastian Perez (Atletico Nacional), Andres Felipe Roa (Deportivo Cali), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa), Daniel Torres (Independiente Medellin)
Forwards: Carlos Bacca (AC Milan), Roger Martinez (Racing Club), Marlos Moreno (Atletico Nacional), Dayro Moreno (Club Tijuana)
Manager: Jose Pekerman
West Ham target Carlos Bacca could also be one to watch at the tournament as he is in the shop window
Star man: James Rodriguez. He’s coming off the back of a bad year with Real Madrid, where he made more headlines for partying than for playing, but is looking to reinvigorate his career here. If he performs it will add more fuel to the transfer speculation fire.
Also watch out for: Daniel Torres plays in Colombia so has gone below the radar, but he’s an all-action midfielder who loves to destroy.
Verdict: Should win the group, particularly if they play as well as they have done in recent World Cup qualifiers. The memory of their bad performance at last year’s tournament—where they scored just one goal—needs to be vanquished. With young talent blended with experience, they could do well this year.
Real Madrid’s sensational goalkeeper Keylor Navas will be crucial if Costa Rica are to have success
COSTA RICA
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Esteban Alvarado (Trabzonspor)
Defenders: Cristian Gamboa (West Brom), Jose Salvatierra (Alajuelense), Michael Umana (Persepolis), Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ronald Matarrita (New York City FC), Bryan Oviedo (Everton), Francisco Calvo (Saprissa)
Midfielders: Yeltsen Tejeda (Evian), Celso Borges (Deportivo La Coruna), Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Club), Johan Venegas (Montreal Impact), Christian Bolanos (Vancouver Whitecaps), Joel Campbell (Arsenal)
Forwards: Ariel Rodriguez (Alajuelense), Alvaro Saborio (D.C. United), Marcos Urena (Midtjylland)
Manager: Oscar Ramirez
Arsenal midfielder will be looking to repeat his World Cup form after breaking into the Arsenal team
Star man: Keylor Navas. The Real Madrid goalkeeper is now a Champions League winner and his wonderful reflexes will frustrate opponents in the Copa Centenario too.
Also watch out for: There’s a bit of Premier League interest here, with Arsenal’s Joel Campbell the biggest name.
Verdict: Involved in the shoot-out for the second qualifying spot, but may just come up short. If they do make it out, Navas will certainly have played a big part. Costa Rica can be quite exiting when going forward at speed and are in one of the best eras of their history.
Paraguay’s star man is likely to be skilful winger Derlis Gonzalez who will look to come in from the right
PARAGUAY
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Colo Colo), Antony Silva (Cerro Porteno), Diego Barreto (Olimpia)
Defenders: Paulo Da Silva (Toluca), Gustavo Gomez (Lanus), Pablo Aguilar (America), Fabian Balbuena (Corinthians), Bruno Valdez (Cerro Porteno), Miguel Samudio (America), Blas Riveros (Olimpia)
Midfielders: Oscar Romero (Racing), Victor Ayala (Lanus), Celso Ortiz (AZ Alkmaar), Rodrigo Rojas (Cerro Porteno), Robert Piris Da Motta (Olimpia), Miguel Almiron (Lanus)
Forwards: Antonio Sanabria (AS Roma), Nelson Valdez (Seattle Sounders), Edgar Benitez (Queretaro), Derlis Gonzalez (Dynamo Kiev), Jorge Benitez (Cruz Azul), Dario Lezcano (Ingolstadt), Juan Iturbe (Bournemouth)
Manager: Ramon Diaz
Paraguay also have Juan Iturbe, who failed to make an impact at Bournemouth, in their squad
Star man: Derlis Gonzalez. Paraguay’s most skilful player and their biggest attacking hope, coming in from the right-wing.
Also watch out for: Juan Iturbe, who was at Bournemouth on loan from Roma this season, but flopped. He tried to get into the Argentine national team, failed and declared himself for Paraguay. Talented but hugely inconsistent.
Verdict: They will be one of the toughest teams to watch and enjoy at the tournament because of their defensive style, but that’s also their point of strength. Have a good recent Copa record but don’t expect them to win it, even if they sneak through.
GROUP B: Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Haiti
Of course, it’s Brazil who are the big name interest here, although their performance last year left a lot to be desired, with Paraguay knocking them out on penalties in the quarter-finals. A bad tournament could spell the end of Dunga’s reign as coach. Peru are no mugs, having reached the semi-finals last time out, although they have struggled in the World Cup qualifiers, while Ecuador are a dark horse, boasting several dangerous players and have been in fine form.
FIXTURES
Haiti v Peru, June 5, Seattle, WA, 12.30am
Brazil v Ecuador, June 5, Pasadena, CA, 3am
Brazil v Haiti, June 9, Orlando, FL, 12.30am
Ecuador v Peru, June 9, Glendale, AZ, 2am
Ecuador v Haiti, June 12, East Rutherford, NJ, 11.30pm
Brazil v Peru, June 13, Foxborough, MA, 1.30am
After being one of the few Chelsea players to be commended this season Willian could be key to Brazil’s hopes
BRAZIL
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Internacional), Diego Alves (Valencia), Ederson (Benfica)
Defenders: Dani Alves (Barcelona), Fabinho (Monaco), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Douglas Santos (Atletico Mineiro), Miranda (Inter Milan), Gil (Shandong Luneng), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo)
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Elias (Corinthians), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Lucas Moura (PSG), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Lucas Lima (Santos), Willian (Chelsea), Ganso (Sao Paulo)
Forwards: Hulk (Zenit), Jonas (Benfica), Gabriel (Santos)
Manager: Dunga
19-year-old Santos striker Gabriel scored his first international goal against Panama and could be one to watch
Star man: Willian. Not only did he have to carry Chelsea this season but he now has to do the same for Brazil. With Neymar saved for the Olympics after Brazil made a deal with Barcelona, and Douglas Costa out injured, he’s got a lot of responsibility.
Also watch out for: Santos’ young striker Gabriel Barbosa, or maybe you know him by his nickname ‘Gabigol’. The 19-year-old scored his first international goal in the warm up friendly win over Panama, on his debut.
Verdict: Nothing is clear anymore with the Selecao, because although they have excellent players and an incredible history, they haven’t played particularly well for years. Regardless, one of the tournament’s biggest threats and should sail through the group.
Peru will be hoping ‘The Predator’ Paolo Guerrero will be firing on all cylinders at the tournament
PERU
Goalkeepers: Carlos Caceda (Universitario), Pedro Gallese (Juan Aurich), Diego Penny (Sporting Cristal)
Defenders: Luis Abram (Sporting Cristal), Miguel Araujo (Alianza Lima), Jair Cespedes (Sporting Cristal), Aldo Corzo (Deportivo Municipal), Christian Ramos (Juan Aurich), Alberto Rodriguez (Sporting Cristal), Miguel Trauco (Universitario), Yoshimar Yotun (Malmo)
Midfielders: Armando Alfageme (Deportivo Municipal), Adan Balbin (Universitario), Cristian Benavente (Charleroi), Christian Cueva (Toluca), Luiz da Silva (PSV Eindhoven), Alejandro Hohberg (Universidad Cesar Vallejo), Renato Tapia (Feyenoord), Oscar Vilchez (Alianza Lima)
Forwards: Edison Flores (Universitario), Paolo Guerrero (Flamengo), Andy Polo (Universitario), Raul Ruidiaz (Universitario)
Manager: Ricardo Gareca
Tottenham target Christian Cueva could also be one to watch at the Copa America this month
Star man: Paolo Guerrero. The Predator, as he’s known, helped fire Peru to the semi-finals last year and although he’s 32, is still a dangerous presence in the box.
Also watch out for: Christian Cueva, the winger who has attracted interest from Tottenham.
Verdict: The coach axed some of the more experienced players because he wasn’t happy about their fitness and behaviour, so how they will perform at this tournament is up in the air. Things haven’t been going particularly well, but if the talent he’s picked from their national league comes good, they could make it through.
West Ham fans know what Enner Valencia is capable of an he will be crucial for Ecuador’s hopes
ECUADOR
Goalkeepers: Alexander Dominguez (LDU de Quito), Esteban Dreer (C.S. Emelec), Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC)
Defenders: Juan Carlos Paredes (Watford), Arturo Mina (Independiente del Valle), Gabriel Achilier (C.S. Emelec), Frickson Erazo (Atletico Mineiro), Robert Arboleda (U. Catolica), Walter Ayovi (Monterrey), Cristian Ramirez (Ferencvarosi)
Midfielders: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Angel Mena (C.S. Emelec), Christian Noboa (Rostov), Fernando Gaibor (C.S. Emelec), Pedro Larrea (El Nacional), Carlos Gruezo (FC Dallas), Jefferson Montero (Swansea), Michael Arroyo (Club America), Fidel Martinez (Pumas)
Forwards: Enner Valencia (West Ham), Jaime Ayovi (Godoy Cruz), Juan Cazares (Atletico Mineiro), Miller Bolanos (Gremio)
Manager: Gustavo Quinteros
Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero terrorised many Premier League right backs this season at Swansea
Star man: Enner Valencia. The West Ham man had a disappointing stop-start season but he’s still his country’s main source of goals.
Also watch out for: Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia gets to play a more attacking role for Ecuador than he does at Old Trafford, but it could be Swansea’s Jefferson Montero that ends up causing most of the danger.
Verdict: A good chance of getting out of the group and could even give Brazil a shock. Not a dark horse for the tournament but could go deep.
Haiti’s Kervens Belfort’s (right) height could trouble defenders as the underdogs look to cause a shock
HAITI
Goalkeepers: Steward Ceus (Unattached), Luis Valendi Odelus (Aigle Noir), Johny Placide (Reims)
Defenders: Romain Genevois (Nice), Jerome Mechack (Jacksonville Armada), Judelin Aveska (Atletico Uruguay), Reginal Goreux (Standard Liege), Kim Jaggy (Aarau), Alex Christian (Vila Real), Jean Sony Alcenat (Voluntari), Stephane Lambese (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielder: Jean Marc Alexandre (Fort Lauderdale Strikers), Kevin Lafrance (Chrobry Glogow), Soni Mustivar (Sporting Kansas City), Max Hilaire (Cholet), Pascal Millien (Jacksonville Armada), Sony Norde (Mohun Bagan), James Marcelin (Carolina RailHawks)
Forwards: Wilde-Donald Guerrier (Wisla Krakow), Kervens Belfort (1461 Trabzon), Jeff Louis (Caen), Jean-Eudes Maurice (Ha Noi), Duckens Nazon (Laval)
Manager: Patrice Neveu
Colombia’s goalkeeper David Ospina collides with Haiti’s Duckens Nazo who impressed at the 2015 Gold Cup
Star man: Kervens Belfort. The 24-year-old striker plays with Turkish club 1461 Trabzon and his height can be dangerous in the box.
Also watch out for: Duckens Nazon, 22, who impressed at the Gold Cup in 2015 and fired his team to the quarter-finals of that competition. Has also impressed in World Cup qualifying so far.
Verdict: Beat Trinidad and Tobago to get here in a play-off, surprisingly. Struggling in their World Cup qualifying campaign and not going to threaten the other teams when it comes to getting out of the group. Reasonably tight at the back but have struggled creatively.
GROUP C: Uruguay, Mexico, Venezuela, Jamaica
This group sees two clear favourites matched with two sides who can cause problems but will probably go out in the first round. Uruguay and Mexico face off in the first game of the group and that could then shape the rest of it. Venezuela, meanwhile, have some good players although are quite disorganised at present, while Jamaica have proved they are no pushovers in recent years too— and they boast Premier League winning Leicester captain Wes Morgan.
FIXTURES
Jamaica v Venezuela, June 5, Chicago, IL, 10pm
Mexico v Uruguay, June 6, Glendale, AZ, 12am
Uruguay v Venezuela, June 10, Philadelphia, PA, 12.30am
Mexico v Jamaica, June 10, Pasadena, CA, 3am
Mexico v Venezuela, June 14, Houston, TX, 1am
Uruguay v Jamaica, June 14, Santa Clara, CA, 3am
After a mind-blowing season at Barcelona Luis Suarez’s fitness and performances will be key for Uruguay
URUGUAY
Goalkeepers: Martin Campana (Independiente), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama)
Defenders: Sebastian Coates (Sporting Lisbon), Jorge Fucile (Nacional), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Pereira (Getafe), Maximiliano Pereira (Porto), Mauricio Victorino (Nacional)
Midfielders: Mathias Corujo (Universidad de Chile), Alvaro Gonzalez (Atlas), Nicolas Lodeiro (Boca Juniors), Gaston Ramirez (Middlesbrough), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Atlas), Cristian Rodriguez (Independiente), Carlos Sanchez (Monterrey), Matias Vecino (Fiorentina)
Forwards: Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain), Abel Hernandez (Hull City), Diego Rolan (Bordeaux), Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough), Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Uruguay will also be hoping defender Diego Godin can bounce back from Champions League disappointment
Star man: Luis Suarez. Who else? The Barcelona star scored 59 goals this season and is the deadliest player on the planet right now. He’s battling a hamstring injury but should make the latter stages of the tournament at least.
Also watch out for: Atletico Madrid duo Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez help form a frightening back-line that won’t give any opposition forwards an easy night.
Verdict: Battling with Mexico for top spot, will get out of the group even if they don’t win that fight. How deep they can go depends on when Suarez returns and if he can maintain this season’s lethal form, although they are currently top of the South American World Cup qualifying group and he was suspended until March.
Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez remains the main man for Mexico at the Copa America
MEXICO
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Malaga), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)
Defenders: Paul Aguilar (Club America), Miguel Layun (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Atlas), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad), Nestor Araujo (Santos Laguna), Hector Moreno (PSV), Yasser Corona (Queretaro), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Jesus Molina (Santos Laguna)
Midfielders: Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto), Hector Herrera (Porto), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Andres Guardado (PSV), Carlos Pena (Chivas), Jurgen Damm (Tigres), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Jesus Duenas (Tigres)
Forwards: Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkeusen), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (Club America)
Manager: Juan Carlos Osorio
Fresh from winning the Eredivise PSV’s Andres Guardado will be key to Mexico’s midfield
Star man: Javier Hernandez. The former Manchester United striker is already adored by Mexican fans and if he fires them to glory in the Copa he will be immortalised.
Also watch out for: PSV’s Andres Guardado plays a key midfield role for club and country. He has grown better with age and will be the brain behind most of Mexico’s moves.
Verdict: They have a strong squad for once—with no Gold Cup commitments distracting them—and should go far. With huge support in the States based on the number of Mexicans living there, and a kind travel schedule, expect big things from El Tri.
West Brom striker Salomon Rondon will be hoping to provide the goals for Venezuela in the US
VENEZUELA
Goalkeepers: Jose Contreras (Deportivo Tachira), Wuilker Farinez (Caracas), Dani Hernandez (Tenerife)
Defenders: Wilker Angel (Deportivo Tachira), Rolf Feltscher (Duisburg), Alexander Gonzalez (Huesca), Roberto Rosales (Malaga), Jose Manuel Velazquez (Arouca), Mikel Villanueva (Malaga), Oswaldo Vizcarrondo (Nantes)
Midfielders: Juan Pablo Anor (Malaga), Arquimedes Figuera (La Guaira), Alejandro Guerra (Atletico Nacional), Yangel Herrera (Atletico Venezuela), Romulo Otero (Huachipato), Tomas Rincon (Genoa), Carlos Suarez (Carabobo), Luis Manuel Seijas (Internacional)
Forwards: Yonathan Del Valle (Kasimpasa), Josef Martinez (Torino), Salomon Rondon (West Brom), Christian Santos (NEC), Adalberto Penaranda (Granada).
Manager: Rafael Dudamel
New Watford signing Adalberto Penaranda is also one to watch out for in Group C
Star man: Salomon Rondon had a reasonable Premier League campaign with West Brom and he will lead the line for his country here.
Also watch out for: Adalberto Penaranda has been signed by Watford although he’s currently on loan at Granada. The forward is a raw but exciting talent.
Verdict: The team is likely to be a bit of a mess because it was only last Christmas that all the players grouped together and wrote a letter, demanded the coach left. Will probably finish bottom.
Leicester captain Wes Morgan will be looking to continue his incredible season with Jamaica
JAMAICA
Goalkeepers: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Duwayne Kerr (Stjarnan), Ryan Thompson (Saint Louis FC)
Defenders: Rosario Harriott (Harbour View FC), Michael Hector (Reading), Kemar Lawrence (New York RB), Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace), Wes Morgan (Leicester City), Damano Solomon (Portmore United), Jermaine Taylor (Portland Timbers)
Midfielders: Rodolph Austin (Brondby IF), Michael Binns (Portmore United), Chevone Marsh (Cavaler Sports Club), Joel McAnuff (Leyton Orient), Garath McCleary (Reading), Andrew Vanzie (Humble Lion FC), Je-Vaughn Watson (New England Revolution), Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards: Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo), Simon Dawkins (San Jose Earthquakes), Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City), Allan Ottey (Montego Bay United), Dever Orgill (IFK Marieham)
Manager: Winfried Schafer
Former Derby prospect Giles Barnes, now plying his trade in the MLS, is another player to look out for
Star man: Wes Morgan. After steering his team to the most unlikely Premier League triumph in history, can he now complete a logic-defying double by adding the Copa America? Probably not, but his team-mates will definitely be turning to him for advice and inspiration.
Also watch out for: Giles Barnes and Simon Dawkins are two players who never made the grade in England and then uprooted to the MLS.
Verdict: Drew with Uruguay in the previous Copa and beat Chile in the warm-up for this one. While they’re not tipped to get through, if they do, we can’t say we weren’t warned.
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GROUP D: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Panama
Like Group C, you would expect the two favourites — Argentina and Chile — to progress without too much hassle. Those sides, after all, contested the last Copa America final. They couldn’t be split over 120 minutes and in the end Alexis Sanchez netted the winning penalty. Bolivia had a decent campaign and can be trickier than anticipated, while Panama are the firm long-shots.
FIXTURES
Panama v Bolivia, June 7, Orlando, FL, 12am
Argentina v Chile, June 7, Santa Clara, CA, 3am
Chile v Bolivia, June 11, Foxborough, MA, 12am
Argentina v Panama, June 11, Chicago, IL, 2.30am
Chile v Panama, June 15, Philadelphia, PA, 1am
Argentina v Bolivia, June 15, Seattle, WA, 3am
Once Lionel Messi gets his legal troubles out of the way he will be looking to win his first international trophy
ARGENTINA
Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar (Estudiantes), Nahuel Guzman (UANL), Sergio Romero (Manchester United)
Defenders: Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Jonathan Maidana (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Victor Cuesta (Independiente)
Midfielders: Matias Kranevitter (Atletico Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Guido Pizarro (Tigres), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei China Fortune), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)
Manager: Tata Martino
After a lethal season up front for Napoli Gonzalo Higuain will be looking to silence his Argentina critics
Star man: Lionel Messi has a back injury to get over and a tax case to appear in, but once those two are done and dusted he will be ready to fight for his first international trophy. The Ballon d’Or holder will always be criticised if he goes through his career without winning something of importance with his country.
Also watch out for: Gonzalo Higuain has been blamed in some quarters for Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Germany in 2014 and then the Copa America final loss against Chile last year. He spurned two fine chances laid on by Messi. But the Napoli hitman has been in spectacular form and this time, surely, he won’t disappoint.
Verdict: This time, surely, Argentina’s international drought will come to an end. They are our favourites to lift the trophy.
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez will be spearheading Chile’s attempts to defend the title
CHILE
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Barcelona), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica)
Defenders: Mauricio Isla (Marseille), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Universidad Catolica), Gonzalo Jara (Universidad de Chile), Enzo Roco (Espanyol), Gary Medel (Inter), Eugenio Mena (Sao Paulo)
Midfielders: Jean Beausejour (Colo Colo), Marcelo Diaz (Celta Vigo), Francisco Silva (Chiapas), Erick Pulgar (Bologna), Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich), Matias Fernandez (Fiorentina), Charles Aranguiz (Bayer Leverkusen), Pablo Hernandez (Celta Vigo), Edson Puch (LDU Quito).
Forwards: Nicolas Castillo (Universidad Catolica), Fabian Orellana (Celta Vigo), Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Eduardo Vargas (Hoffenheim)
Manager: Jose Antonio Pizzi
Arturo Vidal finished the season strongly in Germany and will be hoping to carry his form over to the U.S.
Star man: Alexis Sanchez. While this season some fitness trouble stopped him matching the previous year’s heights, he started building up form in the second half of the seasons.
Also watch out for: Chile have a lot talented players, from Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo through to Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal. But Bayer Leverkusen’s Charles Aranguiz was the star of last season’s tournament, so keep an eye out for him.
Verdict: With new coach Pizzi still working on his team, another victory is surely beyond them. But given the quality of their squad, they should reach the semi-finals.
Bolivia striker Yasmani Duk is beaten in the air by USA defender Geoff Cameron during a warm-up friendly
BOLIVIA
Goalkeepers: Carlos Lampe (Sport Boys), Romel Quinonez (Bolivar), Guillermo Viscarra (Oriente Petrolero)
Defenders: Diego Bejarano (The Strongest), Marvin Bejarano (Oriente Petrolero), Nelson Cabrera (Bolivar), Ronald Eguino (Bolivar), Luis Gutierrez (Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona), Erwin Saavedra (Bolivar), Edward Zenteno (Wilstermann)
Midfielders: Pedro Azogue (Oriente Petrolero), Jhasmani Campos (Kazma SC), Raul Castro (The Strongest), Samuel Galindo (Club Petrolero), Cristhian Machado (Wilstermann), Alejandro Melean (Oriente Petrolero), Fernando Saucedo (Wilstermann), Martin Smedberg-Dalence (IFK Goteborg), Walter Veizaga (The Strongest)
Forwards: Juan Carlos Arce (Bolivar), Yasmani Duk (New York Cosmos), Bruno Miranda (Universidad de Chile), Rodrigo Ramallo (The Strongest)
Manager: Julio Cesar Baldivieso
Bolivia’s Diego Bejarano (left) drives past USA’s Bobby Wood during a friendly ahead of the Copa America
Star man: Juan Carlos Arce has eight goals and that makes him the country’s top scoring active player.
Also watch out for: The three goalkeepers are all wet behind the ears.
Verdict: They will be trying to make sure they don’t finish below Panama, in fourth place, and should just about be able to manage it. Losing Ronald Raldes and Marcelo Martins, both veterans who offered a lot but decided to quit in September because they didn’t get along with the coach, will hurt.
Goalkeeper Jaime Penedo is Panama’s most capped player of all time and will have his work cut out
PANAMA
Goalkeepers: Jose Calderon (Platense), Jaime Penedo (Saprissa), Alex Rodriguez (San Francisco)
Defenders: Felipe Baloy (Atlas), Harold Cummings (Alajuelense), Eric Davis (FC DAC 1904), Fidel Escobar (Sporting San Miguelito), Luis Henriquez (Tauro), Adolfo Machado (Saprissa), Roderick Miller (San Francisco)
Midfielders: Ricardo Buitrago (Juan Aurich), Armando Cooper (Arabe Unido), Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes), Gabriel Gomez (Cartagines), Amilcar Henriquez (America), Valentin Pimental (La Equidad), Alberto Quintero (San Jose Earthquakes)
Forwards: Abdiel Arroyo (RNK Split), Ismael Diaz (Porto B), Roberto Nurse (Mineros de Zacatecas), Blas Perez (Vancouver Whitecaps), Luis Tejada (Juan Aurich), Gabriel Torres (Zamora).
Manager: Hernan Dario Gomez
Panama midfielder Ricardo Buitrago (right) tracks Brazil’s Dani Alves during a warm-up friendly
Star man: Jaime Penedo. The goalkeeper, the second-most capped Panama player of all time, will be the busiest player on the team. If he can perform out of his skin, they have a chance of causing at least some consternation to the group’s bigger teams.
Also watch out for: Ismael Diaz. The 19-year-old is a Porto B player and has impressed both for them, helping his team win the Portuguese second division, and also at the CONCACAF U20 Championships.
Verdict: Finish bottom of the group, but not humiliated.
KNOCKOUT ROUNDS
Quarter-final 1 (1A v 2B), June 17, Seattle, WA, 2.30am
Quarter-final 2 (2A v 1B), June 18, East Rutherford, NJ, 1am
Quarter-final 3 (1C v 2D), June 19, Santa Clara, CA, 3am
Quarter-final 4 (1D v 2A), June 19, Foxborough, MA, 12am
Semi-final 1 (Winner of QF1 v QF4), June 22, Houston, TX, 2am
Semi-final 2 (Winner of QF2 v QF3), June 23, Chicago, IL, 1am
Third-place playoff June 26, Glendale, AZ, 12am
Final June 27, East Rutherford, NJ, 1am