The Copa America returns to the United States for just the second time in its history on Thursday.

Led by the incomparable and talismanic Lionel Messi, defending champion Argentina are the tournament favorites according to DraftKings. But the traditional South American powers, including fierce rivals Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay boast strong squads that could stop La Albiceleste from repeating.

Meanwhile, Concacaf invitees such as the United States and Mexico get to prove themselves against a higher grade of opposition. But will the two traditional North American powers find themselves humbled against some of the world's elite teams?

The B/R World Football gathered together to provide their predictions for the teams that will move on to the knockout stage.

Disagree with their reasoning and selections? Share your thoughts in the comments section of the app.

Group A: Argentina, Canada, Chile and Peru

After finally getting his hands on the World Cup , Lionel Messi's work for Argentina is pretty much complete.

With the pressure off, he can perform with total freedom during Copa America, and that should concern everyone else—even at the age of 36.

Chile doesn't look as fearsome as in previous years, and Peru will be cheered on as the plucky underdog (even though it has the second-highest world ranking in the group).

But Canada should just have enough to take the second qualification spot thanks to a squad peppered with star players.

Prediction: Argentina, Canada

- Leo Collis

The bookmakers' favorite to win the entire tournament, Argentina are a safe bet to advance at the top of Group A.

With a similar squad to the one that prevailed at the 2022 World Cup, Messi will be surrounded by other top talents as the holders cruise through to the knockout rounds.

Picking the second team to advance is a trickier proposition, but I like Canada's chances. It has the best non-Argentine player on its entire side of the bracket courtesy of Alphonso Davies and drew with France in its final pre-Copa tuneup.

Canada is talented enough to advance.

Prediction: Argentina, Canada

- Joe Lowery

The defending world and Copa América champion Argentina is the heavy favorite in the group here. After that, though, I think it's quite open.

Both Peru and Chile are under new leadership after poor starts to the World Cup qualification cycle, with Peru the only team that didn't get at least one win from the first six matches.

New Canada manager Jesse Marsch also lends a sense of unpredictability. With the talent the team has, plus the ability to get the Argentina game out of the way first, I like the Reds to advance.

Prediction: Argentina, Canada

- Jon Arnold

I expect nothing less than nine points for Argentina and then a dogfight for second place. The Messi-led world champions should stroll through a group that is otherwise made up of inconsistent nations that can all take points off each other.

Peru has hit a decent run of form recently, albeit against poor opposition, so I'd back them to dig in and progress.

Prediction: Argentina, Peru

- Nick Akerman

Argentina is the clear favorite to top Group A.

The big question is: Who will finish behind them? Though Canada and Chile will put up a great fight, Peru has been in a solid run of form.

With former DC United striker Edison Flores leading the line, La Rojiblanca should have no trouble getting to the quarterfinals.

Prediction: Argentina, Perú

- Alex Windley

Group B: Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico and Venezuela

This looks like the toughest group to call on paper, although Mexico should progress after securing top spot.

Then it will be a tight battle between Ecuador, Jamaica and Venezuela to claim the second knockout-round qualification place.

Leon Bailey's absence from the Reggae Boyz squad will hurt their prospects, and Pervis Estupiñán is a huge loss for Ecuador. Meanwhile, Venezuela will need 34-year-old Salomón Rondón to bring his club form with Pachuca to the international stage.

It'll be close, but count on Ecuador to take the hard-fought path to the quarterfinals.

Prediction: Mexico, Ecuador

- Leo Collis

This group doesn't have any real giants. Still, Ecuador is the strongest of the bunch.

Based on the Elo ratings, which take a more scientific view of assessing team strength than the classic FIFA rankings, La Tricolor pose a bigger threat than any Concacaf team. Stacked with players starting at high-level clubs, they will win the group.

Mexico snuck into the second spot in my Group B projection. Not near its best, the program is amid a generational transition. El Tri are not a threat to advance past the quarters, but an easy group gets them to that stage.

Prediction: Ecuador, Mexico

- Joe Lowery

The most open group of the tournament, it wouldn't be a huge shock for any of these four teams to go through.

Ecuador is the favorite by a slim margin thanks to the mix of veteran standouts like Enner Valencia and Alexander Dominguez with rising stars such as Kendry Paez and Piero Hincapie.

Mexico is trying to force a generational transition, but it still has pillars such as Edson Alvarez and Orbelin Pineda, and it's hoping for a breakout tournament up top from Santi Gimenez.

Even with Jamaica's hottest player, Leon Bailey, staying away, the attack and manager Heimir Hallgrímsson's pragmatic game plans will frustrate opponents.

Venezuela's famous draw away to Brazil in October felt like an announcement that the team is for real. Coupled with Salomón Rondón's red-hot form for Pachuca, there's understandable hope for the Vinotinto, but I think they'll fall just short.

Prediction: Ecuador, Mexico

- Jon Arnold

Mexico have a point to prove on American soil. While I'd pick it to top this group, I think it's going to be more of a struggle than most would suggest.

Ecuador have steel and should cause problems for anyone it faces in this tournament. There's a deep run here if Félix Sánchez's side can maintain its structure and discipline.

Jamaica and Venezuela will have a good go, but it won't be enough.

Prediction: Mexico, Ecuador

- Nick Akerman

Ecuador and Venezuela are the two standouts of Group B.

Although Mexico and Jamaica will look to spoil the party, the strength of the two South American sides will be too much to overcome, especially in a difficult tournament like the Copa América.

Additionally, Mexico has looked poor and that can't help team morale.

Prediction: Ecuador, Venezuela

- Alex Windley

Group C: Bolivia, United States, Uruguay and Panama

It would be a huge shock if the United States and Uruguay weren't the sides to escape Group C. It's just a matter of what order they'll come in.

Bolivia is the lowest-ranked side in the competition, and the squad will be hoping to avoid humiliation. Unfortunately for Panama, the two other sides in the pool are a class above.

Uruguay's mix of experience and star quality should be more than enough to secure top spot ahead of the Stars and Stripes, but the U.S. should pick up a comfortable six points heading into the knockouts.

Prediction: Uruguay, United States

- Leo Collis

Under Marcelo Bielsa, few national teams have generated as much fanfare as Uruguay over the last nine months.

The 2026 World Cup qualifying victories over Brazil and Argentina last fall tell you everything you need to know about Uruguay: It's a dangerous team.

The United States will clash with Uruguay on the final group-stage matchday. But with both teams taking on Bolivia and Panama in their first two games, there shouldn't be much left to play for in Kansas City. Group C is cut and dry.

Prediction: Uruguay, USA

- Joe Lowery

Uruguay comes in with such a good squad playing so well together that it's a candidate not only to win the group but also to win the entire tournament.

That puts some pressure on the United States in the first two matches, needing to get six points before facing the Uruguayans. It should be able to do just that, facing the weakest team in South America and a regional rival it's generally been able to handle in Panama.

.Speaking of Panama, the Central Americans continue to qualify for major tournaments and perform well against rivals with similar populations, but it's been a struggle to take that next step and knock off a top rival at full strength.

Until Bolivia secures an official win away from home in this decade, it's tough to put much faith in La Verde.

Prediction: Uruguay, United States

- Jon Arnold

This is a tough group for the United States. Yes, it's the host nation, but Uruguay should be considered just behind Argentina and Brazil for the title.

Panama came so close to a Gold Cup triumph last year and will be extremely tricky to navigate if it plays freely.

You just never know with Gregg Berhalter, who hasn't been great at getting the best from top stars. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun need to be on top form if the U.S. is going to progress comfortably.

Prediction: Uruguay, United States

- Nick Akerman

Though its 5-1 loss to Colombia is an ominous warning for the latter half of the tournament, the USMNT should have no trouble getting out of its group.

Uruguay looks stronger than ever. And with Luis Suárez back in the mix, Marcelo Bielsa will have a myriad of attacking weapons on the bench.

Prediction: Uruguay, United States

- Alex Windley

Group D: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay

Brazil's squad is brimming with world-class talent that will help take the team to the top of Group D—and perhaps all the way to the title.

Colombia has not suffered a defeat since February 2022 and has won its last eight games, including a 2-1 victory over the Selecao in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

Sadly for Costa Rica and Paraguay, these teams are simply too good to surpass. However, both sides should provide entertainment in their games.

Prediction: Brazil, Colombia

- Leo Collis

Between their three-straight losses in World Cup qualifying to close out last year and a recent 1-1 draw with the USMNT, Brazil isn't flying high right now.

Still, it's impossible to look past the Selecao. With an incredibly threatening and flexible frontline and a fantastic spine, it's the favorite to make the final from this side of the bracket.

While Brazil is stuttering, Colombia is soaring. It's undefeated in 23 consecutive games. Its blend of precise attacking play, which runs through Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez, thrills. Its physical defending is a major asset, too.

There's a world—several worlds, really—where Colombia wins this whole thing.

Prediction: Brazil, Colombia

- Joe Lowery

It's tough to ignore the name and mystique of Brazil, but the hottest team in this group is Colombia.

The last loss for Los Cafeteros came in February 2022 when teams were trying to make it to the World Cup finals in Qatar, not the U.S.

Two heavies in the group doesn't bode well for the other two teams in Group D. Paraguay doesn't seem able to score goals, and while Costa Rica is finally putting some of the players on the field who should return the Ticos to their place among Concacaf's finest, it feels like this competition is too soon for the team to pull off any major upsets.

Prediction: Brazil, Colombia

- Jon Arnold

When Ronaldinho speaks, we should listen. This is not a classic Brazil side, but it's a team that can crush anyone when it all links together.

New boss Dorival Júnior is under great pressure to deliver, but that shouldn't impact the team through the group stage.

A difficult-to-beat Colombia will pose a significant early test and, like Ecuador, I'd pick it as a tasty outside bet if you have the guts to overlook Argentina for the entire thing.

One poor result for Brazil and it could unravel, though.

Prediction: Colombia, Brazil

- Nick Akerman

Ronaldinho rant aside, Brazil is almost always one of the favorites to win the Copa América regardless of what turmoil it's going through.

With talent like Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo in attack, the Selecao should cruise to the top of Group D. However, Colombia could give them a hard time.

Los Cafeteros looked strong in their pre-Copa match vs. the U.S. With James Rodriguez pulling the strings in the final third and a hungry Rafael Santos Borre up front, they could well challenge Brazil for the top spot.

Prediction: Brazil, Colombia

- Alex Windley