World Cup success could prompt Copa America revamp but fans fume over plans for USA to host

The 2026 World Cup has been a huge success thus far.

Co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the expanded 48-team tournament has united nations from all over the world.

The World Cup is taking place in 16 venues across the USA, Mexico and CanadaGetty The World Cup has got off to a roaring start in the U.S, Mexico and CanadaGetty

So far it has been a two-week celebration of the beautiful game of football, or soccer as it is known in some countries.

Some of the world’s most technologically advanced stadiums are in use and World Cup fever has spread, not just in packed-out arenas, but across local communities of the host cities who have gone on to forge strong relationships with travelling fans.

Take Boston, who welcomed Scotland and their devout fans into their city.

The Tartan Army may have drunk their hosts dry, but they also struck up close ties, particularly with the Boston Red Sox MLB team, whose chairman even sent a parting letter of gratitude to the Scotland FA.

USA in contention to host 2028 Copa América

Now the Copa América reportedly wants a piece of the action.

The Athletic first reported back in December that conversations between CONCACAF and CONEMBOL – the confederations that represent North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean – were ongoing about the possibility of the States holding the 2028 edition.

The U.S. also hosted the 2024 Copa América, which saw Argentina win their 16th title after Lautaro Martinez‘s goal in extra time was all that was needed to secure a 1-0 victory over runners-up Colombia at Hrd Rock Stadium in Miami.

Argentina and Ecuador have also been named as other considerations for hosting the competition in 2028.

According to Brazilian outlet Estadão on Sunday, though, talks with the U.S. have reportedly entered advanced stages, with the tournament expected to feature six teams from CONCACAF and 10 from CONEMBOL, just as they did back in 2024.

Should the USA be confirmed as hosts, this would mark their third major tournament in four years.

As the host nation, it would also see the U.S. men’s national team feature, just like they did back in the 2016 and 2024 iterations.

Argentina won their 16th Copa América title in 2024Getty The USA hosted the 2024 Copa América and are now in talks to host it again in 2028Getty

Prior to their 2016 involvement, they were also invited to compete in 1993, 1995, and 2007 in Ecuador, Uruguay, and Venezuela, respectively.

But there are also some logistical issues that they could run into, should they agree to host in 2028.

This is because the 2028 Copa América is due to take place in the same summer as the Olympic Games, which is being hosted by Los Angeles beginning on July 14.

As such, considerations would need to be made over scheduling, with the Copa América likely wanting to avoid any kind of a crossover between the two major events.

While the 2024 tournament was mainly considered a success, there were some challenges, however.

The biggest issue was that there were concerns over the field conditions, with many of the stadiums used – like that at the World Cup – usually using turf for their NFL teams to play on as opposed to grass.

Los Angeles are also set to host the 2028 Olympic GamesGetty

Having brought in grass to those arenas to adhere to world governing body FIFA, some teams at the time complained that it felt different and unnatural, while others, like that of USMNT’s Weston McKennie, criticized the playing surfaces for being ‘patchy’.

However, that issue appears to have been firmly resolved at the 2026 World Cup.

The States would also want to ensure that they don’t get a repeat of what happened prior to the 2024 final, when the security brought in by CONMEBOL failed to protect paying spectators, with ticketless fans storming the stadium in Miami which led to kick-off being delayed by 75 minutes.

Fans conflicted over the news of the U.S. potentially hosting in 2028

Nonetheless, fans have been left conflicted by the reports of the USA potentially hosting the Copa América in 2028 – which would be the third time in the last five editions, the US has hosted.

“Copa America is gonna end up like the Gold Cup, it’s always gona be in the U.S. That sucks,” one fan posted online to Reddit.

“I want North American teams in (obviously, we need this competition as Gold Cup doesn’t prepare us for elite teams) but we also need our National teams to go into altitude and South American crowds. Staying at home doesn’t prepare us enough,” a second fan wrote.

“Just make Copa a permanent CONMEBOL/CONCACAF event. As big of a deal as the Euros,” a third weighed in as a fourth added, “This is eventually the goal. Only way we ever compete with the Euro on this side of the world is by joining forces.”

Fans are conflicted over the possibility of the USA hosting the 2028 Copa AméricaGetty

“As a South American, this is just so upsetting. It doesn’t help that CONMEBOL keeps pushing the other federations away because they’re too small to host alone. South American football is slowly dying, and CONMEBOL is contributing massively towards that end,” a fifth wrote.

While the general consensus among fans is that CONCACAF and CONMEBOL should merge, there are concerns shared that the States will become the host nation more often than not due to their financial resources, and ultimately posing a disadvantage to South American countries.

What it will do, however, is give nations like that of Curacao and Haiti – two of the 2026 World Cup’s debutants – more ample opportunity to take on higher-level opponents in competition.

That could only be a benefit to those smaller nations.

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