The Copa América is South America's major tournament in senior men's soccer and determines the continental champion. Until 1967, the tournament was known as South American Championship. It is the oldest continental championship in the world.
Canada is not a member of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). But because CONMEBOL only has ten member associations, guest nations have regularly been invited since 1993.
Canada was initially invited for the 2001 Copa América due to their championship at the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Unfortunately, the tournament was cancelled due to security issues in Colombia ten days before the tournament. CONMEBOL reversed their decision five days later and allowed the competition to go ahead, but the Canadian Soccer Association decided against participating after the initial cancellation.[1]
Prior to the 2024 Copa América, it was announced that CONCACAF teams could qualify through placement in the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League. After a quarter-final exit in the Nations League, Canada qualified for their first ever Copa América tournament following a win against Trinidad and Tobago in the qualifying play-offs on March 23, 2024.[2] Canada finished fourth in their Copa América debut.
