Inaugural Appearance In Sight

Canada has never participated in Copa America before. It was slated to play in the 2001 tournament as a reward for winning the Gold Cup in February 2000. But CONMEBOL, the South American federation, announced on the eve of the competition that it would be postponed to 2002 due to security concerns in host Colombia.

Five days later, it decided to go ahead with the event as planned. Canada, which had sent its players back to their clubs, was replaced by Costa Rica.

Path to the Quarterfinals

Canada has the honor of opening the tournament on June 20 against defending champions Argentina.

From there, they will face Peru in what will likely be a must-win encounter before they close out group play against Chile.

Should Canada qualify as one of the top two teams from Group A, they would progress to the quarterfinals, where they would face one of Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, or Jamaica, depending on how the two groups shake out (the winner of Group A faces the runner-up in Group B, and vice-versa).

If Canada finish top of Group A, their quarterfinal match will be on July 4 and take place at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. If they come second in Group B, they will play their quarterfinal on July 5 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Should they win that knockout tie, they will progress to a semifinal on July 9 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That game could well be against world champions Argentina.

If Canada get to the semifinals and then lose, they will enter the third-place match against the other semifinal loser. That game will be held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 13.

Win their semifinal, and Canada would, of course, reach the final. That takes place on July 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.