All Copa America Winners: A Complete Historical Overview
The Copa América is South America’s premier football tournament, organized by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). Since its inaugural edition in 1916, the competition has showcased the continent’s finest talent and produced a rich tapestry of champions. This article presents a concise, factual guide to all Copa America winners from 1916 to the most recent tournament, with a look ahead to the 2024 edition.
Early Years (1916‑1939)
The first five editions were dominated by the two traditional powerhouses, Uruguay and Argentina. Uruguay claimed the inaugural title in 1916, while Argentina secured its first triumph in 1921. Uruguay then added three more championships (1923, 1924, 1925), establishing early supremacy.
- 1916 – Uruguay
- 1917 – Uruguay
- 1919 – Brazil (first non‑Uruguayan/Argentine champion)
- 1920 – Uruguay
- 1921 – Argentina
- 1922 – Brazil
- 1923 – Uruguay
- 1924 – Uruguay
- 1925 – Uruguay
- 1926 – Uruguay
- 1927 – Argentina
- 1929 – Argentina
- 1935 – Uruguay
- 1937 – Argentina
- 1939 – Peru (first South American nation outside the traditional “Big Three” to win)
Mid‑Century Dominance (1941‑1967)
The 1940s and 1950s were largely contested by Uruguay, Argentina, and the emerging force of Brazil. Brazil’s first Copa América title came in 1949, followed by a second in 1959 (the “extra” edition). Uruguay added another championship in 1956, while Argentina captured the 1955 tournament.
- 1941 – Argentina
- 1942 – Uruguay
- 1945 – Argentina
- 1946 – Argentina
- 1947 – Argentina
- 1949 – Brazil
- 1953 – Paraguay (first champion from the “Paraguayan” side)
- 1955 – Argentina
- 1956 – Uruguay
- 1957 – Argentina
- 1959 – Argentina (regular edition)
- 1959 – Brazil (extra edition)
- 1963 – Bolivia (first title for Bolivia)
- 1967 – Uruguay
The Modern Era (1975‑1999)
From 1975 onward the tournament adopted a more regular schedule, and the “Big Three” (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay
