Copa America History Winners: A Complete Overview
The Copa America is the oldest international football tournament in the world, showcasing South America’s finest national teams since 1916. Understanding the Copa America history winners provides insight into the shifting power dynamics, iconic moments, and legendary players that have defined the competition over more than a century.
Early Years (1916‑1939)
The inaugural edition was held in Argentina in 1916, featuring only four nations: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Uruguay emerged as the first champion, setting a precedent for early dominance.
- 1916 – Uruguay
- 1917 – Uruguay
- 1919 – Brazil
- 1920 – Uruguay
- 1921 – Argentina
- 1922 – Brazil
- 1923 – Uruguay
- 1924 – Uruguay
- 1925 – Argentina
- 1926 – Uruguay
- 1927 – Argentina
- 1929 – Argentina
- 1935 – Uruguay
- 1937 – Argentina
- 1939 – Peru
During this period, Uruguay and Argentina each claimed multiple titles, while Brazil began to emerge as a future powerhouse.
Post‑War Era and the Rise of Brazil (1941‑1975)
World War II interrupted the tournament, but it resumed in 1941. Brazil’s first triumph came in 1919, but its real ascendancy began in the 1950s, culminating in a series of victories that reshaped the competition.
- 1941 – Argentina
- 1942 – Uruguay
- 1945 – Argentina
- 1946 – Argentina
- 1947 – Argentina
- 1949 – Brazil
- 1953 – Paraguay
- 1955 – Argentina
- 1956 – Uruguay
- 1957 – Argentina
- 1959 (Argentina) – Argentina
- 1959 (Ecuador) – Uruguay
- 1963 – Bolivia
- 1967 – Uruguay
- 1975 – Peru
Brazil’s first modern
