Messi’s Road to Copa America 2024: Argentina Add Ecuador and Guatemala Exhibitions Before Tournament

• The 2024 Copa America will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14
• Argentina will enter the prestigious tournament as the defending champions
• Lionel Messi and co. will play Ecuador and Guatemala before the tournament starts

Argentina are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to their defence of the Copa America title.

The country's football association announced on Monday that they would be playing a couple of matches before the start of the tournament this coming June.

Sports Brief looks at Argentina's upcoming schedule pertaining to their pre-tournament exhibition games and their group stage matches in the 2024 Copa America.

Argentina's exhibition schedule before Copa America

Argentina vs. Ecuador (June 9)

To prepare for their title defence, La Albiceleste will face Ecuador in an exhibition match 11 days before the start of Copa America.

Fascinating facts about Ecuador's national football team players, coach, FIFA world rankings, World cup 2022, trophies

Football

The game will take place at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, per NBC Sports. Argentina played once in this venue before, crushing Panama 5-0 in the Copa America Centenario back in 2016.

Lionel Messi has fond memories of that contest, as he scored a hat-trick in that win over Panama.

Argentina vs. Guatemala (June 14)

Argentina will then travel to Landover, Maryland, to face Guatemala at FedEx Field on June 14. This will be the first time La Albiceleste will play in this football stadium.

Argentina have won each of their past three meetings with Guatemala dating back to 2008, outscoring them 12-0 during that span.

Copa America 2024 group stage matches

Argentina vs. Canada/Trinidad and Tobago (June 20)

The defending champs will begin their title defence at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 20.

Argentina will face the winner of the Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago CONCACAF play-off in their opening match in Group A.

Which is the best team in FIFA World Cup 2022? Who are the favourites to win it all?

Football

This will be the first time they will play in this football venue.

Argentina vs. Chile (June 25)

Argentina will then travel to New Jersey to face Chile at MetLife Stadium on June 25.

This showdown is a rematch of the 2016 Copa America Final held at Meadowlands. Chile defeated Argentina in a penalty shootout in that final, leading Messi to contemplate retirement following that painful loss.

Argentina vs. Peru (June 29)

Argentina will then face Peru in their final group match on June 29. They will lock horns at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

La Albiceleste have played in this venue before, beating Honduras 3-0 in a friendly back in September 2022. Messi scored twice in that contest, which served as preparation for the FIFA World Cup later that year.

Argentina's Nigeria friendly match cancelled again

Sports Brief recently reported on the Nigeria vs. Argentina friendly being cancelled again.

South Korea's World Cup squad 2022: Who's in and who's out?

Football

La Albiceleste were scheduled to take on the Super Eagles on March 26 in the United States.

The friendly match reportedly will not take place again due to logistical issues.