Which nations have won the Copa America?
With Copa America 2024 in the United States fast approaching, we thought we would examine the teams that have been the most successful in South America’s elite international competition over the years.
Argentina (15-time winners in 15 (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993 and 2021)
The La Albiceleste are the joint-most successful team in the history of the Copa America, having lifted the trophy on 15 occasions, with five of the victories coming as hosts.
Their first triumph in the competition came in 1921 on home soil when the competition was in the previous guise of the South American Championship.
Argentina’s journey in the Copa America has been a rollercoaster. After a successful run in the 1940s and 1950s, they experienced a dry spell, only to bounce back with victories in 1993 and 1999.
The team waited a long time for their next Copa triumph, from ’99 until 2021, when a 1-0 final win over arch-rivals Brazil ended their drought in the competition. The victory saw superstar Lionel Messi pick up the first international trophy of his career. Two years later La Albiceleste became world champions again in Qatar.
Argentina has also finished as the competition’s runners-up on 14 occasions, including in back-to-back tournaments in 2004 and 2005 and once again in 2015 and 2016.
Uruguay (15-time winners in 15 (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995 and 2011)
La Celeste was the early dominant force in the South American Championships, which is why Uruguay are the joint-most successful nation in the continental competition.
Uruguay’s first triumph in the competition came in the inaugural edition in 1916 in Argentina. In ten years, Uruguay lifted the trophy on six occasions. They won the competition once in the 1930s and 1940s, twice in the 1950s, and once in the 1960s. The 1980s was another glory period for Uruguay, as they won the competition in 1983 and 1987 and once again in 1995 on home soil.
However, La Celeste’s last Copa America triumph came in 2011, so they are currently going through a slight draught compared to previous decades.
Considering the size of their nation, an estimated population of just 3.4 million people, La Celeste has punched well above their weight in the continent’s elite international tournament.
Brazil (9-time winners in 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007 and 2019)
Surprisingly, Brazil is only the third most successful team in the competition’s history. In many senses, the Selecao have underachieved in the competition, considering that they are regarded as one of the most successful South American countries on the world stage.
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Brazil won their first continental title in 1919 on home soil before claiming the trophy in 1922 and 27 years later in 1949. Five of their nine Copa America/South American Championships titles, including the first four, have been won on home soil.
They didn’t win another Copa America for half a decade until 1989, which is a big reason they have won comparatively few continental titles compared to their biggest rivals.
Brazil’s most recent Copa triumph came in 2019, once again won as hosts. However, the Selecao made it all the way to the final of the competition last time out in 2021, only to suffer a defeat against great rivals Argentina.
Paraguay (2-time winners in 1953 and 1979)
There is a big gap between Brazil and Paraguay in terms of Copa America triumphs. Their first title came in Peru in 1953, and their only other title came 26 years later.
However, Paraguay has been runners-up in the competition six times in 1922, 1929, 1947, 1949, 1963 and 2011. The fact that they haven’t made a mark on the competition in recent years shows that they have been suffering a slight malaise in recent years.
Chile (2-time winners in 2015 and 2016)
La Roja’s only Copa America triumphs came back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016. The former came on home soil, while they also claimed victory in the United States a year later.
Like Paraguay, Chile has finished as runners-up at the Copa America far more times than it has won the competition, finishing as runners-up on four occasions in 1955, 1956, 1979, and 1987.
Peru (2-time winners in 1939 and 1975)
The Incas Copa America triumphs will seem like ancient history now. The first came in 1939, and the last in 1975. The first one was achieved on home soil.
However, they did finish as Copa America runners-up in 2019, when they suffered a 3-1 defeat in the final against Brazil before losing against Argentina in the third-place play-off.
Bolivia (1-time winner in 1963)
We have to go back to 1963 for the only time Bolivia won the Copa America. Unsurprisingly, it was on home soil as they saw off Brazil 5-4 in a pulsating final in Cochabamba.
They also finished as competition runners-up in 1997, also on home soil, as Brazil gained revenge for the 63’ final with a 3-1 final victory, with Ronaldo Nazario amongst the goalscorers.
Colombia (1-time winner in 2001)
Maybe surprisingly, considering the quality of players that Colombia has produced over the years, but Los Cafeteros has won the Copa America just once on home soil in 2001.
A 1-0 final win over Mexico was enough to see Colombia crowned as South American champions.
They also made the final of the competition in 1975 but suffered a 1-0 play-off final defeat to Peru.
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