Copa America 2024 GROUP B: Preview, Prediction, Key Players, and Key Matches To Watch

Preview

Copa America 2024 is all set to take place in the USA this summer between June 21 to July 15. Sixteen teams have been divided into four groups, with defending champions Argentina in Group A and nine-time winners Brazil in Group D. Meanwhile, hosts USA are in Group C along with Uruguay.

Group B consists of two-time runners-up Mexico, alongside Ecuador, Venezuela and Jamaica. Without further ado, let’s take a detailed look at this group.  

Prediction

Mexico

El Tri qualified for Copa America 2024 as one of the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals winners in the 2023-24 edition.

They defeated Honduras 4-2 on penalties after playing out a long and arduous 2-2 aggregate draw with them over two legs in the quarter-finals. Mexico then brushed Panama aside with a 3-0 win in the semi-finals, before falling 2-0 to the USA in the final.

Mexico last participated in this tournament back in 2016, where they reached the quarter-finals. Now, they have a new-look squad under Jaime Lozano as he has moved on from stars such as Hirving Lozano and Guillermo Ochoa, and will look to reach the quarter-finals at least.

Ecuador

Ecuador became a CONMEBOL member in the 1920s but did not participate in this tournament until 1939. Since then, they have participated in 29 editions of the tournament, with Copa America 2024 set to be the 30^th instance.

They qualified automatically for this tournament being a full member. So far, Ecuador’s best finish in the history of the Copa has been fourth, which they achieved in 1959 and 1993. They barely made it out of their group in the last edition in 2021 and were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Argentina.

However, they have been in decent form in the last few months, losing just twice in their last eight games. With four wins and two draws in the other six, Felix Sanchez’s men will look to make it to the quarter-finals once again.

Venezuela

Having participated in the tournament on 19 previous occasions, Venezuela qualified for Copa America 2024 automatically as one of the CONMEBOL members.

With their best finishes in history being fourth in 2011 and fifth in 1967, Fernando Batista’s men do not have much success to look back on. Their recent form has been iffy, with just two wins in their last eight games across competitions.

Things look bleak for the Venezuelans ahead of this tournament and they will struggle to make it out of the group stage.

Jamaica

Jamaica has previously participated in this tournament on an invitational basis in 2015 and 2016, getting eliminated in the group stage on both occasions. They qualified for this edition as semi-finalists in the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League.

They put in a spirited performance against Canada in the quarter-finals of the Nations League, winning on away goals after a 4-4 draw on aggregate after two legs. Jamaica then fell to USA 3-1 in the semi-finals but defeated Panama 1-0 in the third-place match.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson will be pretty pleased with his team’s performances in the last few months though. They have lost just two of their last eight games, including winning four of the last six. Currently, on a three-game winning streak, they will pose an outside threat to Ecuador for second place in Group B.

ALSO READ: Uruguay squad for Copa America 2024: Who’s in and who’s out, Key Players and Predicted Lineup

Key Players to Watch in Copa America Group B

Santiago Gimenez

The Feyenoord forward will enter Copa America 2024 on the back of a stellar season with his club. He made 41 appearances for his team across competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing eight assists. Blessed with strength and a natural knack for scoring, he will be the X-factor for Mexico in this tournament as the team will rely on his goals.

Edson Alvarez

Mexico skipper Edson Alvarez is fresh off his first season in the Premier League with West Ham United, having joined from Ajax in 2023. With 42 appearances and two goals and two assists under his belt, the defender has had a decent start to life in England. However, as the captain of El Tri, expectations will be sky-high and Alvarez will be expected to deliver.

Moises Caicedo

The Chelsea midfielder will be under the microscope as questions about his abilities continue to be asked. He made 48 appearances for the Blues this season, scoring one goal and providing four assists. A quick, agile, and technically sound player, Caicedo will be the heartbeat of an Ecuador side looking to qualify out of Group B with ease.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid

The Jamaican skipper will look to lead his nation to some new heights at this tournament as they enter with decent momentum. Known for playing on the right flank for Fulham, he made 41 appearances across competitions this season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. With Jamaica in good form, his leadership will be crucial to their progress.

Key Games to Watch in Copa America 2024 Group B

Mexico vs Ecuador

This seems like it would be a straight battle for the top spot in this group as they seem like the two strongest sides, and could decide the fate of the group.

Mexico vs Jamaica

An upset could be on the cards as Jamaica enters this tournament in top form. Should they even take a point off Mexico, it could throw Group B wide open.

Ecuador vs Venezuela

As the two teams looking to fight for second place, this game will be crucial in deciding the group too.

Copa America 2024 Group B Match Schedule

Copa America 2024 Group B Prediction

• Mexico to win the group.
• Jamaica to finish surprise runners-up.
• Ecuador to finish third.
• Venezuela to struggle and finish fourth.

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