In asking which Copa América is the best, one must dig past mere winners—to the atmosphere, the drama, the innovations, the heartbreaks, and the moments that define generations. 2hanBall will walk you through some of the most unforgettable editions, weigh their strengths, and try to decide: what makes a Copa América truly the greatest.
What makes a Copa América “the best”
Before ranking, let’s agree on criteria: what features elevate a tournament above the rest. Here are the yardsticks:
- Level of drama: close finals, last-minute goals, comebacks
- Competitive balance: surprise teams, underdogs, not always the same old powerhouses dominating
- Innovations: format changes, new locations, firsts (like using VAR, or expanding teams)
- Cultural / emotional impact: titles that broke long droughts, moments that shaped legends
- Quality of football: stars, goals, tactics, intensity
With these in mind, here are some claimants for “best Copa América ever.”
Top editions to consider
Here are several editions that frequently come up when fans argue which Copa América is the best. I’ll analyze what made each special.
Copa América 1975
This tournament was a milestone. It was the first edition under the name “Copa América” instead of the South American Championship. Every CONMEBOL nation participated (10 teams) for the first time.
Some other standout features:
- The format was home-and-away, with matches spread out across many nations, no fixed venue.
- Peru won their second title, beating Colombia in a playoff in Venezuela after drawing on points, producing tension and excitement. Hugo Sotil scored the decider.
- The tournament saw strong performances and engagement despite logistical challenges typical of that era.
Why some fans give it top marks: it’s a blend of novelty (new format), genuine competitiveness, and underdog success.
Copa América 2001
A more recent classic. Here’s what makes 2001 exceptional:
- Colombia hosted and won their first-ever Copa América title, and they did it without conceding a single goal throughout the tournament. That’s rare defensive dominance.
- The presence of invited teams added variety. Mexico reached the final, for instance.
- The emotional weight: Colombia’s national pride was massive. The atmosphere in Bogotá for the final vs Mexico was electric.
Copa América 2021
This one resonates strongly in modern memory:
- It ended Argentina’s 28-year major trophy drought. For Lionel Messi, this was hugely symbolic.
- Final at Maracanã, beating Brazil in their own backyard. Intense rivalry, high stakes, emotional scenes.
Copa América 2016 (Centenario)
Special edition:
- Marked 100 years of the tournament; special because it expanded and was held in the United States.
- Mix of South and North American teams, bigger scale, celebratory atmosphere. Though it had some controversies, it remains one of the most visible editions globally.
Copa América 2024
Just recently, this one has strong arguments:
- Argentina made history: 16th title, third major back-to-back trophy (2021, 2022 World Cup, 2024 Copa América).
- Dramatic final—extra time, Lautaro Martínez scoring the winner.
- But it had logistical chaos (crowd issues before the final) which tempers perfection. But in terms of stakes + performance, it ticks many boxes.
Comparing the contenders
Let’s pit these tournaments against our criteria:
| Tournament | Drama & Closeness | Competitive Balance / Surprises | Innovation / Format Change | Cultural / Emotional Weight | Quality & Star Power |
| 1975 | High — playoff, away/home tension | Strong — Peru not always heavy favorite | Very high — new format, all 10 teams, no fixed venue | Big — Peru’s success, format novelty | Good — stars like Cubillas, Sotil, etc. |
| 2001 | High — mature Colombia, clean defense | Strong — Mexico in final, underdog vs big names | Medium — traditional format, but strong hosting story | Very emotional for Colombia and fans | Solid — good matchups, strong squads |
| 2021 | High — final vs Brazil, big rivalry | Somewhat balanced, though Argentina was among favorites | Less format change, but global context (COVID) | Huge — Messi’s first major, national euphoria | Very high — many superstars, well televised |
| Centenario 2016 | Mixed — some blowouts, but some tight games | More surprises; many teams from outside South America included | Very high — first time in USA, expanded field | Big commemoration, safety concerns though | High — stars involved, big media attention |
| 2024 | Very high — extra time final, late winner | Argentina strong favorite; some surprises earlier rounds | Moderate innovation; more about continuity | Huge — records, Messi likely farewells, trophy count | Very high — modern stars, global broadcast |
So, which Copa América is the best?
If forced to crown one, many arguments point to the 1975 edition as the best overall Copa América ever. It has the innovation, the underdog story, the format evolution, and lasting historical impact. It changed how the tournament works, included all nations, and produced a champion few expected—Peru won their second title in dramatic fashion. For nostalgia, uniqueness, and influence over the tournament’s future, 1975 stands tall.
However, others might favor 2001 for its defensive perfection and emotional weight for Colombia, or 2021 for being a modern masterpiece with Messi finally winning and the tension of the Brazil final. Or 2024 for combining records and modern stakes.
So in short: 1975 probably wins by the narrowest of margins—if you value revolutionary impact. But depending on what you prize (emotion, star players, competitiveness), other editions could be “best” in your heart.
When different fans might choose differently
- For Passion & Emotion: 2021 (Argentina’s drought ends), 1975 (national pride for Peru), 2001 (Colombia’s historic defense)
- For Innovation & Format: 1975 leads; 2016 Centenario makes big changes
- For Star Power & Broadcast Reach: 2024 edges out because of global coverage, modern players
- For Underdog Stories: 2001, 1975
Conclusion
Which Copa América is the best depends on what matters to you. But 2hanBall holds that the 1975 Copa América is the most well-rounded champion in this debate: for innovation, for surprise, for laying foundational changes, for memorable drama.
If you love defensive masterclasses and emotional victories, 2001 and 2021 are close runners-up. If you’re into modern stars, spectacle, and narratives of legends, 2024 is unforgettable.
What about you? Which edition speaks to you the most—and on what grounds? Leave your thoughts and join the debate!
