Copa america 2016 preview

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This summer sees the United States host the Copa America Centenario. The tournament was founded a hundred years ago in 1916. This year the competition is breaking from it's traditional four year frequency to celebrate. Four more teams than normal have been invited to join the festivities, making it sixteen countries taking part.

Argentina are first in the FIFA world rankings and are strong favourites to win the tournament. Despite this, they haven't lifted a senior tournament trophy at international level for twenty-three years when they last won the Copa America in 1993. Manager Gerardo Martino will be confident of changing that, knowing his side features great players in all positions.

His team boasts arguably the world's best player in Lionel Messi. The twenty-eight year-old forward is in fine form, having scored twenty-six goals and made sixteen assists in La Liga for FC Barcelona this season. Messi is favourite to be the Copa America's top-scorer. With Bolivia and Panama in group D with Argentina, he looks likely to rack up the goals. 'The White and Sky Blue' promise to be a potent attacking threat, with players Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria all in impressive form for their clubs this season.

Former International star Dunga took over management of the Brazillian national team for a second stint in 2014. His task has been to return the five-time World Champions to the top. So far his side have underwhelmed, slumping out of last year's Copa America at the knockout stage after losing a penalty shootout to Paraguay. Despite this, his team are improving, rising from their lowest ever FIFA world ranking of 22nd in 2013 to 7th, where they currently rank. Brazil should never be written off. The bookies see them as second favourites for the tournament, acknowleding that their young squad is full of talent and potential.

The 'Little Canaries' will be without star man Neymar after FC Barcelona struck a deal with the Brazilian Football Confederation for the player to only take part in the Rio Olympic Games this summer. Dunga will look at alternatives to fill the attacking void. Benfica forward Jonas is one option. He was Portuguese Primeira Liga top-scorer with 32 goals. Another player to watch is Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho. He scored 12 goals and made 43 appearances for the Merseysiders, being voted club Player of the Season for the second year running. Brazil have the easiest group and should progress to the latter stages, but their inexperience may see them struggle to overcome strong opponents.

Chile are the tournament holders. They triumphed against Argentina on penalties after a 0-0 draw in last year's final, lifting the Copa America for the first time, on home soil. They will face a rematch with Argentina in the group stages, in one of the most anticipated fixtures. Chile's recent success has seen them rise to fifth in the FIFA world rankings. Manager Juan Antonio Pizzi will be looking for star-player Alexis Sanchez to be the catalyst for his team. The Arsenal forward scored the winning penalty in last year's final and finished his Premier League campaign with 17 goals for the Gunners.

The United States will be looking to make the most of their home advantage. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann surely had wanted a winning start when his side took to the field in the competition's opening fixture against Columbia. However, they have lost by 0-2 this game. Klinsmann will need key players such as veteran forward Clint Dempsey to perform well. Dempsey identifies the Copa America as his favourite tournament and will be looking to add to his tally of 49 goals for his country. The USA's best finish was 4th position in 1995.

Uruguay have the most successful history in this competition. They have lifted the Copa America trophy on fifteen occasions. Their chances have been dealt a huge blow this year with news that star striker Luis Suarez will miss the tournament with a hamstring injury. Boss Oscar Tabarez will ask Edinson Cavani to step up his scoring duties and add to his 30 international goals so far.