The Copa América is South America's major tournament in senior men's soccer and determines the continental champion. Until 1967, the tournament was known as South American Championship. It is the oldest continental championship in the world.
Canada is not a member of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). But because CONMEBOL only has ten member associations, guest nations have regularly been invited since 1993.
Canada was initially invited for the 2001 Copa América due to their championship at the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Unfortunately, the tournament was cancelled due to security issues in Colombia ten days before the tournament. CONMEBOL reversed their decision five days later and allowed the competition to go ahead, but the Canadian Soccer Association decided against participating after the initial cancellation.
Canada were eligible to qualify for the Copa América Centenario in 2016 through the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but did not make it past the group stage.
Prior to the 2024 Copa América, it was announced that CONCACAF teams could qualify through placement in the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League. After a quarter-final exit in the Nations League, Canada qualified for their first ever Copa América tournament following a win against Trinidad and Tobago in the qualifying play-offs on March 23, 2024. Canada finished fourth in their Copa América debut.
Summary Copa América recordQualification recordYearResultPositionSquad 1916 to 1999Not invitedNot invited 2001Originally invited but withdrewSquadInvited as CONCACAF champions 2004Not invitedNot invited 2007 2011 2015 2016Did not qualify302101 2019Not invited 2021 2024Fourth place4th613247Squad320164Total Fourth place 4th 6 1 3 2 4 7 – 6 2 2 2 6 5 *Note: Draws include matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
2024 Copa América
Group stage
Knockout stage
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Top goalscorers
Player Goals 2024 2 2 1 1 1 1 Total 4 4
See also Canada at the FIFA World Cup Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup
Notes
References