9 Most Successful Teams In Copa America

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9 Most Successful Teams In Copa America!! Who won the last Copa America? Copa America is the top men’s soccer tournament held among the nations of South America. It is the oldest still-running continental soccer tournament and one of the most watched worldwide.

The event was first held in 1916, where South American teams competed. However, since the 1990s, North American and Asian teams have also been part of the tournament. Argentina hosted the inaugural tournament.

Argentina Celebrating Copa America 2021 Win
Argentina Celebrating After Copa America 2021 Win (Source: CNN)

With a long history of over 108 years, today, we are looking at some of the most successful teams in Copa America. The tournament has generally featured twelve teams since 1993.

Among the nations participating in Copa America, 10 are CONMEBOL teams, while the other two are from other confederations. Meanwhile, the United States is the only non-CONMEBOL country to host the event in 2016.

So now, without further delay, let us take a trip back to the tournament’s history.

Let us look at the most successful teams in Copa America and also learn who won the last Copa America together!

Quick Overview

Please take a peek at the rakings of our list first at the table below!

Country Total Titles Win
9. Mexico
8. Bolivia
7. Colombia
6. Peru
5. Chile
4. Paraguay
3. Brazil
2. Argentina 15 
1. Uruguay 15 

Most Successful Teams In Copa America

We have compiled the information of our articles with references from Wikimedia.

9. Mexico

Mexico is the ninth most successful team in Copa America and has made it to the tournament’s semi-finals two times.

The Mexican national football team represents the country in international tournaments. The Mexican Football Federation is the governing body and has been competing as a member of CONCACAF.

Although Mexico is not a member of the South American football confederation (CONMEBOL), it is the most regular invitee guest nation.

Mexican team in 2016 Copa America
Mexican Team in 2016 Copa America (Source: SBNation.com)

The country participated in Copa America for ten consecutive years, from 1993 to 2016. Since then, the national team has not participated in any other tournament and is yet to win the Copa America trophy.

Mexico is the most successful guest nation to play in the Copa America tournament. 

It has reached the final twice and finished third on three or more occasions.

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8. Bolivia

Bolivia is the eighth most successful team, with one winning title in Copa America. The Bolivia national football team has represented the team in international football since 1926.

Bolivia is one of the ten members of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL.) The Bolivian Football Federation is the governing body, and the country first participated in the tournament in 1926.

It wasn’t until 1963, 23 years after its first participation in Copa America, that Bolivia’s national team won the title. Similarly, the year they won the title was also the year they hosted the tournament.

Copa America 2011's Bolivian national team
Copa America 2011’s Bolivian National Team (Source: BeInSports.com)

The national team took advantage of their home air and won the 1963 tournament unbeaten. The same year, the Bolivian forward Ramiro Blacut was awarded an individual trophy as the tournament’s best player.

In their second-ever home tournament, Bolivia reached the final with an exception in 1997.

Unfortunately, the country has not been able to garner its past success. They only won a single match in a game versus Ecuador in 2015 between 1999 to 2021.

7. Colombia

On number 7 of the most successful teams in Copa America, we have Colombia. The country is tied with Bolivia with one title win in Copa America.

The Colombia national football team represents the country on an international platform. Colombia Football Federation manages the team. The country is a member of CONMEBOL and ranks 17th in the FIFA world rankings.

As a member of CONMEBOL, the country has been a regular participant in the tournament. Colombia has reached the finals of Copa America on two occasions.

Colombia celebrating their 2001's title win
Colombia Celebrates their 2001’s Title Win (Source: Futbolretro.com)

In 1975, Colombia reached the finals but lost the final match against Peru. And in 2001, they hosted the Copa America tournament. In addition to hosting the tournament, they also won their first and only title to date.

Furthermore, they won all six tournament matches in regular time, which is a rare achievement in the tournament’s history. Colombia set a new record with no goals conceded, and every game won. 

6. Peru

On number 6 of the most successful teams in Copa America, we have Peru. The Peru national football team is a member of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL.)

As a result, Peru is a regular attendee in Copa America and has shown impressive performance during the tournament. The Peruvian Football Federation is the governing body of the national team.

Peru was the fourth team to win the South American Cup after Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. The country won its first Copa America title in 1939 and later in 1975.

Peruvia team in 2019 Copa America
Peruvian Team in 2019 Copa America (Source: AA.com)

However, in 1939, the country played against only five of the South American nations where Argentina and Brazil were absent. Since their two title wins, Peru has only been able to get as far as the runners-up.

As of the 2021 FIFA world rankings, Peru ranked number 27. The country has played 148 matches and scored a total of 213 goals, considering the matches in the Copa America tournament.

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5. Chile

On number 5 of the most successful teams in Copa America, we have Chile with two titles. The Chile national football team represents the country in international competitions.

Chile’s national football team is governed by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile, established in 1895. During Copa America’s inaugural game, the country was one of the four national teams participating.

For their first six participation in Copa America, Chile ranked last. Fortunately, in 1926, they got their first significant achievement and recorded their first match win. Similarly, it took them 99 years to win their first Copa America title.

Chile celebrating their win in 2015 Copa America
Chile Celebrating Their Win in 2015 Copa America (Source: The New York Times)

In 2015, Chile hosted the Copa America title on their soil. They defeated Argentina in the finals and won their first title. Likewise, they successfully defended their title the following year and won another title against Argentina.

Although Chile has never defeated Argentina over regular time in tournament history, they won the finals against Argentina on penalties on both occasions.

4. Paraguay

Paraguay has historically been South America’s “Best of the Rest.” The country ranks fourth in Copa America’s All-Time table and ties with Peru and Chile, winning two titles.

The Paraguay national football team represents the country in international tournaments. The Paraguayan Football Association controls the national team and is a member of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL.)

It was only in the late 1940s that the country garnered its most successful era continentally. They won their first Copa America tournament in 1953. The second time they were crowned champions was in 1979.

Paraguay's 2021 Copa America team
Paraguay’s 2021 Copa America Team (Source: Livecopaamerica.com)

Since then, however, Paraguay has been unable to repeat its achievements. They have only been able to give mediocre performances.

The Paraguay national football team has never been able to advance beyond the tournament’s quarter-finals. They only reached the final once in 2011.

3. Brazil

With nine title wins, we have Brazil as our third most successful team in Copa America. Brazil is one of the soccer powerhouses and a force to be reckoned with, which they have proved with the tournament wins.

The Brazilian national football team, which Brazilian Football Confederation administers, represents the country in international tournaments.

The country has been a member of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) since 1916. Therefore, Brazil has been participating in Copa America tournament since its inauguration.

Brazilian players celebrating their win, 2019
Brazilian players celebrating their win, 2019 (Source: PowerSportz.com)

However, Brazil withdrew from the tournament for almost ten years, between 1926 and 1935. They later started participating regularly and were particularly successful from 1997 to 2007.

During that period, the team won four out of five tournament titles. They won their last Copa America title in 2019. In 2021, they defended their title against Argentina in the final but lost the match.

2. Argentina

We have Argentina as number 2 of the most successful teams in Copa America. Meanwhile, for our question about who won the last Copa America, if you guessed Argentina, then you are correct.

The Argentina national football team represents their home country in international competitions. The Argentine Football Association is the administrator and governing body of the team.

Argentina leads the all-time table with the highest number of victories and other various records. They have won the Copa America title 15 times and are the second most successful team.

Argentina, winner of 2021 Copa America title
Argentina, Winner of the 2021 Copa America Title (Source: Instagram)

In 2015 and 2016, the country did make it to the finals. They lost both times to Chile in a penalty shoot-out. They have never lost to Chile over regular time in tournament history.

The Argentinian team is the only team to win the titles three consecutive times in 1945, 1946, and 1947. In 2021, the national team, which Lionel Messi led, won their 15th Copa America title.

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1. Uruguay

The most successful team in Copa America is Uruguay. The country is tied with Argentina for the most Copa America title wins in the tournament’s history, with 15 titles won.

Uruguay is a member of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and has been part of the tournament since its inauguration in 1916. They have proven themselves to be dominating team among the rest.

Uruguayan Football Association governs the Uruguay national football team and represents the country in international competitions. They won the inaugural Copa America tournament against Argentina.

Uruguay team celebrating their 2011 Copa America win
Uruguay Team Celebrating their 2011 Copa America Win (Source: Usachinadaily.com.cn)

Uruguay and Argentina are well-known rivals when it comes to football tournaments. 

During the early era of the tournament until 1927, Uruguay mainly dominated the tournament. Similarly, they won six out of the eleven tournaments. Their last Copa America title win was in 2011.

Conclusion

So when we first asked you who won the last Copa America, did you guess it correctly? Argentina won the 2021 Copa America title, which tied them with Uruguay for the most titles in tournament history.

The tournament’s popularity is worldwide, not only among South America or CONMEBAL members.

The next Copa America is set to be held in 2024. It was initially scheduled for 2023 but was moved to the following year.

The 2021 winner will be defending their title and expected to be hosted by Ecuador. 

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Boby Rai
Boby Raihttps://playersbio.com/

Boby Rai

Boby Rai is a dedicated writer who specializes in capturing the essence of sporting excellence through his unique lens. As the creative mind behind numerous sports-centric projects, he brings a fresh perspective to the world of athletics, blending insightful commentary with captivating narratives.

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