Argentina holds the record for most Copa America titles with 16 victories, surpassing Uruguay’s 15. Brazil ranks third with 9 titles. Argentina claimed their record 16th championship in 2024 by defeating Colombia 1-0 in extra time.
Since the tournament began in 1916, 48 editions have been held, with eight South American nations winning at least once.
Copa America Winners by Year (Complete List)
What you’re looking for is right here. Argentina just won their 16th Copa America title in 2024. Uruguay won first back in 1916. Here’s every champion from 1916 to 2024.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
| 2024 | Argentina | Colombia |
| 2021 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 2019 | Brazil | Peru |
| 2016 | Chile | Argentina |
| 2015 | Chile | Argentina |
| 2011 | Uruguay | Paraguay |
| 2007 | Brazil | Argentina |
| 2004 | Brazil | Argentina |
| 2001 | Colombia | Mexico |
| 1999 | Brazil | Uruguay |
| 1997 | Brazil | Bolivia |
| 1995 | Uruguay | Colombia |
| 1993 | Argentina | Mexico |
| 1991 | Argentina | Colombia |
| 1989 | Brazil | Uruguay |
| 1987 | Uruguay | Chile |
| 1983 | Uruguay | Paraguay |
| 1967 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1963 | Bolivia | Paraguay |
| 1959 | Argentina | Uruguay |
| 1957 | Argentina | Uruguay |
| 1956 | Uruguay | Chile |
| 1955 | Argentina | Chile |
| 1949 | Brazil | Paraguay |
| 1947 | Argentina | Paraguay |
| 1946 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 1945 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 1942 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1941 | Argentina | Uruguay |
| 1937 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 1935 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1929 | Argentina | Paraguay |
| 1927 | Argentina | Peru |
| 1926 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1925 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 1924 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1923 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1922 | Brazil | Paraguay |
| 1921 | Argentina | Brazil |
| 1920 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1919 | Brazil | Uruguay |
| 1917 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1916 | Uruguay | Argentina |
Most Copa America Titles: All-Time Rankings
Argentina’s 2024 victory put them ahead of Uruguay for the first time. Take a look at how the all-time winners stack up.
| Team | Total Titles | Last Win | Peak Era |
| Argentina | 16 | 2024 | 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1990s, 2020s |
| Uruguay | 15 | 2011 | 1910s-1960s |
| Brazil | 9 | 2019 | 1990s-2000s |
| Paraguay | 2 | 1979 | 1950s |
| Peru | 2 | 1975 | 1920s |
| Chile | 2 | 2016 | 2010s |
| Colombia | 1 | 2001 | — |
| Bolivia | 1 | 1963 | — |
What’s notable about Argentina’s 16 titles is how they span different eras. They won in the 1920s, then again in the 1940s-1950s, then the 1990s, and now the 2020s.
Uruguay dominated early on but hasn’t won since 2011. Brazil peaked from the 1990s through the 2000s but last won in 2019. This consistency across decades sets Argentina apart from every other team.
Recent Copa America Winners (2015-2024)
The last decade tells a clear story. Argentina is back on top.
| Year | Winner | Final Score | Venue |
| 2024 | Argentina | 1-0 (AET) | USA |
| 2021 | Argentina | 1-0 | Brazil |
| 2019 | Brazil | 3-1 | Brazil |
| 2016 | Chile | 0-0 (Pen 4-2) | USA |
| 2015 | Chile | 1-0 (AET) | Chile |
Argentina’s back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2024 mark a turning point. They’re the first team to win consecutive editions since Uruguay in 1995.
Before Argentina’s resurgence, Chile won twice in a row (2015-2016), and Brazil claimed the 2019 title on home soil.
Over the past decade, Argentina went from a 28-year drought to two championships in four years. That shift matters because it signals sustained competitive strength, not a one-off victory.
Championship Records That Stand Out
A few records worth knowing:
- Argentina won three consecutive titles: 1945, 1946, and 1947. No team has matched this since.
- Argentina holds the most final appearances overall with 29 total finals played.
- The tournament started in 1916 with just Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. It’s now the oldest international continental championship still running.
- Lionel Messi played in 7 Copa America tournaments across 20 years and won two titles (2021, 2024). He scored 14 goals total across all Copa America appearances.
- Lautaro Martinez scored the 2024 final goal in the 112th minute and led the tournament with 5 goals total.
- 48 editions have been played as of 2024.
Argentina’s three consecutive titles in 1945-1947 set a benchmark nobody has matched. Uruguay’s 15 titles were compiled across more than a century of participation. Brazil’s 9 titles came from consistent success in the modern era, particularly the 1990s and 2000s.
Why the 2024 Copa America Matters for Argentina
Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 on July 14, 2024, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time. This 16th title means Argentina now stands alone at the top of Copa America history.
The victory caps a remarkable turnaround. Argentina hadn’t won Copa America for 28 years (1993 to 2021). Then they won in 2021 on their home turf, breaking a long drought. Three years later, they won again in the United States.
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The stability of coach Lionel Scaloni matters here. He’s been in charge since 2018 and has built a team where younger players like Enzo Fernández, Alejandro Garnacho, and Lautaro Martinez do the heavy lifting.
Messi still played in both recent tournaments, but the team no longer depends on him to win.
Colombia reached the final and gave Argentina a competitive match. Both teams finished regulation time scoreless. That Argentina could win in extra time against a confident opponent suggests the squad’s mental toughness and depth run deep.
How Copa America Grew Over Time
The Copa America started small. In 1916, only four teams participated: Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile. The tournament happened almost every year in those early days.
Winners were determined by a round-robin format rather than knockout stages. Uruguay dominated this era, winning six titles before 1930.
The tournament was renamed Copa America in 1975, and the format changed to include all 10 CONMEBOL nations.
Later, starting in 1993, non-South American teams like Mexico and the United States were invited to participate.
By 2016 and 2024, the tournament expanded to 16 teams. The current schedule runs every four years, though 2020-2021 required an adjustment for COVID.
These format changes explain why early dominance belonged to just Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. When only four teams competed, winning was harder and more prestigious.
After expansion, competitive balance increased, yet Argentina and Uruguay have maintained championship success anyway. That consistency matters when assessing greatness.
FAQs
Who won the 2024 Copa America?
Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in extra time on July 14, 2024. Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in the 112th minute at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Which team has the most Copa America titles?
Argentina holds the record with 16 titles. Uruguay is second with 15. Brazil has 9 titles total.
How many times has Argentina won Copa America?
Argentina has won 16 times: 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993, 2021, and 2024.
Did Messi win a Copa America?
Yes. Lionel Messi won two Copa America titles with Argentina in 2021 and 2024. The 2021 victory was his first major international trophy.
When did Uruguay last win Copa America?
Uruguay last won in 2011, defeating Paraguay 3-0 in the final. That was their 15th title.
Has Brazil ever won Copa America back-to-back?
No. Brazil has won 9 titles total but never in consecutive editions. Their most recent win was 2019.
Who won the first Copa America in 1916?
Uruguay won the inaugural tournament in 1916, defeating Argentina in the final.
How many nations have won Copa America?
Eight South American nations have won: Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Bolivia. No team from outside South America has ever won.
What is the oldest international football tournament?
Copa America. It started in 1916, making it the oldest continental championship still running and the second oldest international competition after Olympic football.
Did Argentina win Copa America twice in a row?
Yes. Argentina won in 2021 and again in 2024. They’re the first team to win back-to-back titles since Uruguay in 1995.
Has any team won Copa America three times in a row?
Only Argentina managed three consecutive titles: 1945, 1946, and 1947. No other team has achieved this.
How many Copa America tournaments have been held?
There have been 48 Copa America editions from 1916 to 2024.
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