When do the Copa America quarterfinals start? Reason why there are no games today and knockout schedule explained

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The 2024 Copa America has so far lived up to expectations.

Through June and July, the best national teams from North, South and Central America are gathering in the USA for the 48th edition of the continental tournament, with CONMEBOL heavyweights such as Brazil and Argentina going toe-to-toe with six invited guest nations from CONCACAF.

Some of those teams have lasted longer than others; Canada have made the quarterfinals on their debut in the tournament but the USA and Mexico are among the sides who were sent out early after failing to make it out of their groups.

With the tournament just over halfway through, we have now reached a pivotal point as the knockout phase begins — but first, there will be a pause. 

The Sporting News explains why there are no games taking place at the Copa America today, and when the quarterfinal slate gets up and running. 

MORE: Copa America 2024 bracket and results, updated LIVE Who will win Copa America 2024? Latest odds and predictions | How to watch all the Copa America action

When do Copa America quarterfinals start?

The Copa America quarterfinals are now set, with Brazil and Colombia taking the last available places after a 1-1 draw to finish Group D on Tuesday.

They joined defending champions Argentina as well as Canada, Venezuela, Ecuador, Uruguay and Panama in the last eight.

From here, the bracket is pre-determined. The winners of Group A (Argentina) will take on the runners-up from Group B (Ecuador) and vice-versa in the other pools.

Here's how the schedule looks:

Date Time (ET) Match Location
Thu, Jul. 4 9 p.m. QF1: Argentina vs. Ecuador Houston, TX (NRG Stadium)
Fri, Jul. 5 9 p.m. QF2: Venezuela vs. Canada Arlington, TX (AT&T Stadium)
Sat, Jul. 6 6 p.m. QF3: Uruguay vs. Brazil Las Vegas, NV (Allegiant Stadium)
Sat, Jul. 6 9 p.m. QF4: Colombia vs. Panama Glendale, AZ (State Farm Stadium)

Why are there no games at Copa America today?

Those quarterfinal games begin on July 4 with Lionel Messi and Argentina taking on Ecuador, meaning there are no games on July 3.

Traditionally at major tournaments, there is a "rest day" between the group stages ending and the knockout phase beginning, with all the sides involved given an extra day free from action to prepare.

This is the same at Euro 2024, which is running at the same time as the Copa, and has also reached the quarterfinal stage.

MORE: How to watch Copa America matches for free

Copa America 2024 knockout stage schedule, fixtures and results

The knockout stage of the competition will begin on July 4, running through to the final in Miami on July 14.

Copa America 2024 Quarterfinals

Date Time (ET) Match Location
Thu, Jul. 4 9 p.m. QF1: Argentina vs. Ecuador Houston, TX (NRG Stadium)
Fri, Jul. 5 9 p.m. QF2: Venezuela vs. Canada Arlington, TX (AT&T Stadium)
Sat, Jul. 6 6 p.m. QF3: Uruguay vs. Brazil Las Vegas, NV (Allegiant Stadium)
Sat, Jul. 6 9 p.m. QF4: Colombia vs. Panama Glendale, AZ (State Farm Stadium)

Copa America 2024 Semifinals

Date Time (ET) Match (click to buy tickets) Location
Tue, Jul. 9 8 p.m. QF1 winner vs. QF2 winner East Rutherford, NJ (MetLife Stadium)
Wed, Jul. 10 8 p.m. QF3 winner vs. QF4 winner Charlotte, NC (Bank of America Stadium)

Copa America 2024 third-place match

Date Time (ET) Match (click to buy tickets) Location
Sat, Jul. 13 8 p.m. SF loser vs. SF loser Charlotte, NC (Bank of America Stadium)

Copa America 2024 Final

Date Time (ET) Match (click to buy tickets) Location
Sun, Jul. 14 8 p.m. SF winner vs. SF winner Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
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Peter Marshall has worked in sports media for more than two decades, covering everything from boxing, F1 and tennis to the World Cup and Olympics.
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