Copa América Centenario (2016)
A one-time centennial edition of the Copa América held in the United States in June 2016, featuring 16 teams and won by Chile after a penalty shootout against Argentina.
Overview
The Copa América Centenario was a special, one-off edition of the South American championship staged from 3 June to 26 June 2016. Organized jointly by the South American confederation and its North and Central American counterpart, the tournament commemorated 100 years of the Copa América and was notable for being held outside South America for the first time. Matches were contested as part of the global association football calendar and drew attention across the Americas.
Format and participants
The Centenario expanded the usual field to 16 teams. It brought together all ten CONMEBOL nations partnered with six teams from CONCACAF, creating a larger group stage followed by knockout rounds. The competition began with four groups of four, from which the top two teams advanced to quarter-finals, then semi-finals and the final. This format aimed to mix traditional South American rivalries with a wider regional field.
Venues and organisation
For the first time the United States hosted the tournament, staging matches in multiple cities and major stadiums across the country. The event was the result of joint planning between the continental confederations and local organizers, combining commercial interests with celebratory and sporting objectives. The choice of U.S. venues sought to take advantage of large-capacity stadiums and diverse fan communities across North America.
Results and final
The tournament concluded with a final between Chile and Argentina, a repeat pairing of the previous year's decider in the 2015 Copa América. Chile retained the continental title by winning the final on penalties after a tightly contested match. Because Chile had already secured the 2015 title, the Centenario outcome did not change their status with respect to the subsequent 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Significance and reception
The Centenario blended commemoration with competition. It celebrated a century of the Copa América while experimenting with a broader, inter-confederation field and a high-profile host. The event drew large attendances and strong television interest in parts of the Americas, but it also generated discussion about scheduling, the commercial motives for holding the tournament in the United States, and impacts on player workload. Overall, the Centenario stands as a unique chapter in the history of continental international football.
Key facts
- Dates: 3–26 June 2016.
- Host: United States, first time outside South America.
- Champion: Chile (defeated Argentina on penalties).
- Relationship to previous edition: final repeated the 2015 Copa América showdown.
- Confederation implications: did not alter Chile's entry to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup because of their prior win.
Questions and answers
Q: What was the Copa América Centenario?
A: The Copa América Centenario was a men's association football tournament that took place from 3 June to 26 June 2016. It was made to celebrate 100 years of the Copa América and hosted in the United States for the first time.
Q: Who won the final match?
A: Chile won the final in penalties over Argentina (which was a repeat of the 2015 Copa América Final).
Q: Does winning this tournament qualify for 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup?
A: No, because Chile already won the 2015 Copa América, so they do not need to qualify again.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Copa América Centenario (2016) Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/22925
Sources
- concacaf.com : "CONCACAF and CONMEBOL Announce Agreement to Bring Copa America 2016 to the United States"
- mlssoccer.com : "2016 Centennial Copa America added to FIFA's international calendar, making top players available"