2024 Copa América Groups: Breaking down USA's path to knockout stage

The schedule for the 2024 Copa América that will be hosted in 14 United States cities next summer is set following Thursday's star-studded draw in Miami.

Here's how the four-nation groups shook out:

Defending Copa América and World Cup champion Argentina is the clear favorite not just to win the group but to repeat in what could be Lionel Messi's final turn on the international stage. With the July 14 final in the GOAT's new home of Miami, what a send-off that will be.

The other three teams in Group A — the Canadians and the Soca Warriors will play a single elimination playoff next March with the winner filling out the foursome — will vie for second place and a spot in the quarterfinals. Messi's Albiceleste opens the tournament against either T&T or Canada June 20 in Atlanta.

Mexico's national team is at its lowest point in recent memory, but El Tri will draw enormous partisan crowds to jam-packed NFL stadiums in each of its three first round matches, which won't hurt their chances of precessing as the group winner. Mexico opens in Houston against the Reggae Boyz on June 22. It then meets Venezuela in Los Angeles  before taking on Ecuador in Glendale, Arizona in its final round-robin.

Ecuador is the safest bet to progress along with Chucky Lozano & Co., though Jamaica's improving team has been bolstered by a slew of English-born and based dual nationals from Premier League clubs, which will make them a tough out for eval one of its opponents.

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The Americans have to like their draw even if it included Uruguay, perhaps the best South American team that wasn't included alongside them in Pot A. Led by rising Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez and coached by legendary Argentine manager