The United States Men’s Nationa Team (USMNT) will encounter the most imposing of measuring sticks ahead of the 2024 Copa America this summer when they take on five-time World Cup champions Brazil in the second edition of the Allstate Continental Clasico on June 12 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL.
“Getting the opportunity to play against Brazil is special,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “When you talk about wanting to challenge ourselves against the best teams in the world, you can’t ask for much better than Brazil. With their extremely talented player pool and rich history of success on the world stage, this will certainly be a great preparation game for Copa America.”
The Continental Clasico is becoming an annual test for the United States, which hosts a top-tier opponent from North, Central, or South America.
Brazil is currently ranked No. 5 in the world having reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It fell in penalties to eventual third-place finishers, Croatia.
The USMNT has had virtually zero success against the South American powerhouse, holding a 1-18-0 record all-time against them since 1930. This is the first time the two sides are meeting since 2018 when Brazil won at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, 2-0.
But this is a different USMNT — a side teeming with young talent currently ranks 13th in the FIFA world rankings. The Americans made it to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup where they fell to the Netherlands.
The United States will be hosting the 2024 Copa America, which is usually a quadrennial international tournament that is the South American continental championship which invites a limited number of teams from outside the continent. However, following an announcement of a new strategic partnership between South America’s governing soccer body, CONMEBOL, and North America’s CONCACAF, the 2024 tournament will feature 10 South American sides and six North American teams.
The Americans are in Group C alongside Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia. The top two teams in each of the four, four-team groups will advance to the quarterfinal stage.
The Clasico against Brazil and the ensuing Copa America will be a brilliant test of mettle for the Americans, who are preparing to be one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup — the Final being held at MetLife Stadium just beyond the New York City limits.
That very same building, which is the home of the New York Giants and Jets and recently played host to the NHL’s 2024 Stadium Series, will also host Copa America matches, headlined by a Group A clash between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Chile.
The venue will also host the competition’s semifinal on July 9.
