Argentine Coaches Dominate Copa America

In this year’s Copa America, alongside CONMEBOL’s 10 teams, there are 6 teams from CONCACAF. Notably, Argentine coaches are leading 7 of these teams, while Brazil only has two.

On June 21, the 48th edition of Copa America kicked off, featuring 16 teams from CONMEBOL and CONCACAF. The group stage has concluded, and Argentina, Canada, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Colombia have already secured their spots in the quarter-finals. Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Ecuador are also on their way to the last eight.

Despite the diverse lineup, Argentine coaches have a significant presence in the dugouts. Seven teams are led by Argentine head coaches, including Lionel Scaloni, Fernando Batista, Marcelo Bielsa, Néstor Lorenzo, Ricardo Gareca, Daniel Garnero, and Gustavo Alfaro.

Lionel Scaloni is leading his home country, Argentina. Scaloni, who doesn’t need much introduction, guided Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and ended their 28-year trophy drought with the 2021 Copa America.

Venezuela, who dominated Group B to secure their spot in the quarter-finals, is coached by Argentine Fernando Batista. The 53-year-old became Venezuela's head coach in 2023 after serving as an assistant since 2021 and previously working with Argentina’s youth teams.

Uruguay, one of the favorites alongside Brazil and Argentina, is managed by Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa has been with Uruguay since 2023 and previously coached Argentina from 1998 to 2004.

Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia’s coach, led his team to the quarter-finals before Brazil from Group D. The 58-year-old played for Argentina internationally from 1988 to 1990 and served as an assistant coach from 2004 to 2006. He took over as Colombia's head coach in 2022 and guided them to a victory over Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers last November.

Chile is coached by Ricardo Gareca, who played for Argentina from 1981 to 1986. Gareca, 66, has been coaching for nearly 30 years and started with Chile this year.

Former Argentine midfielder Daniel Garnero is coaching Paraguay, while 61-year-old Gustavo Alfaro has been leading Costa Rica since 2023.

In contrast, Brazil is coached by Dorival Junior and Bolivia by Antônio Carlos Zago, both Brazilians. Ecuador is managed by Spain’s Félix Sánchez, Peru by former Uruguayan goalkeeper Jorge Fossati, Jamaica by Iceland’s Heimir Hallgrímsson, Mexico by their former midfielder Jaime Lozano, Panama by Denmark’s Thomas Christiansen, the United States by former center-back Gregg Berhalter, and Canada by American Jesse Marsch