The Copa America group stage draw in Miami has determined a diverse set of opponents for the USMNT. Starting and concluding the first round against South American teams Bolivia and Uruguay, their second match will be against regional rival Panama in Group C. Gregg Berhalter’s team anticipates a series of challenging tests during the group stage, providing an early opportunity to gauge themselves against high-caliber opposition in preparation for the 2026 World Cup on home turf.
The U.S. men’s national team will commence their campaign against Bolivia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 23rd. The South Americans are deemed the weakest in the group, ranked 85th and second to bottom in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, making a strong start for the U.S. crucial.
The USMNT will then face the 2023 Gold Cup runners-up, Panama, on the 27th of July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Panamanians are no strangers, so Gregg Berhalter’s men should encounter no surprises here, but one never knows.
The final group challenge for the U.S. is the real test against the two-time World Cup winners and the 15-time Copa America champions, Uruguay. Both teams are likely to be on equal points if everything goes according to plan, having defeated the other two countries, Panama and Bolivia. This concluding match will determine the group’s top finisher. The match is scheduled for the first of July at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
USMNT Head Coach, Gregg Berhalter, was in attendance on draw night in Miami and acknowledged how challenging a foe like Uruguay will be to overcome.
“We always knew that was going to be a possibility, and that was obviously the hardest team in [pot] 2,” Berhalter told Fox Sports after the draw. “For me, it’s an opportunity. They’re gonna be a very aggressive team, [it] will be a really good challenge for our group.”
The winner of this group will face the runners-up of Group D, which consists of Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and either Honduras or Costa Rica – both of whom are still vying for their spots in the tournament and will be placed alongside the South Americans. The runners-up of the USMNT’s group will have to contend with the winners of Group D.
All in all, this draw is quite favorable for the USMNT. They are anticipated to be favorites against Bolivia and Panama. However, achieving simple wins won’t be enough to impress those looking for a strong performance, not only in the upcoming summer but also in the 2026 World Cup. Berhalter is expected to lead his team to decisive victories in the initial two matches, securing a strong position for the USMNT to advance to the quarterfinals before their encounter with Uruguay, a team that defeated both Brazil and Argentina without conceding in the past two months.
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