Why Jamaica are playing at 2024 Copa America despite not being a South American country

A quick search on social media tells us that the appearance of Jamaica at this year's Copa America has confused some viewers at home.

The expanded 2024 edition of the Copa America features several nations from the CONCACAF region in addition to the traditional sides from CONMEBOL.

It is also being played outside of South America for just the second time in its history, with the United States hosting for a second time.

Earlier this week, Michail Antonio made history when he scored Jamaica's first ever Copa America goal as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Group B opponents Ecuador.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side qualified for this summer's tournament by reaching the CONCACAF Nations League A semi-finals following their quarter-final win over Canada.

The Copa America is traditionally made up of the 10 members of CONMEBOL and Jamaica are not members of the South American confederation.

But over time, nations from CONCACAF and elsewhere have been invited to participate. For example, Japan and Qatar featured in the 2019 edition of the competition.

This year, a total of 16 teams are taking part in the Copa America, with those nations being split into four groups of four teams.

Image credit: Getty

Jamaica was invited to the Copa America for the first time in 2015, where they finished last in a group containing Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

A year later, they competed in the Copa America Centenario as winners of the 2014 Caribbean Cup, finishing last in the group.

And now, the nation sit rock bottom again as they compete against Mexico, Ecuador and Venezuela in Group B. In fact, Jamaica were eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday after Venezuela beat Mexico.

Jamaica have not qualified for the World Cup since France '98 but they will be hoping to qualify for the next installment of the competition in 2026.

Heimir Hallgrimsson is certainly optimistic. "We have a hugely talented player pool – and the level they are playing at is amazing," he told FIFA in a recent interview.

"We could probably field a whole team who are playing in the English Premier League and the Championship. Then we have players playing at a high level in MLS, others in France, and other places in the world. And not to mention all the players that want to join us.

"A lot of players eligible for Jamaica have been in contact and want to be a part of this journey. Things are looking positive."