Football fans across India have always shown great excitement for international tournaments like the Copa America, where South American powerhouses such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile battle for continental glory. But every four years, one common question arises — where to watch Copa America in India?
Let’s go through everything you need to know — the official broadcasters, what happened with the 2024 edition, and what to expect for future tournaments.
What Is Copa America?
The Copa America is the oldest international football tournament in the world, organized by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). It brings together teams like Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile — along with invited nations from other continents.
In 2024, the tournament was hosted in the United States from June 20 to July 14, featuring 16 teams, including guest nations like Mexico, the USA, and Canada.
With global stars like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Vinícius Júnior, Copa America always attracts a massive fan following — including millions of Indian football enthusiasts.
Official Broadcasters of Copa America
Traditionally, major international tournaments are broadcast in India through popular sports networks like Sony Sports Network, Sports18, or Star Sports.
However, Copa America’s broadcasting rights are managed regionally by CONMEBOL, which assigns specific networks for each country.
For the 2024 edition, CONMEBOL’s official website listed FanCode and T Sports as potential platforms for India and nearby regions.
But as the tournament began, things took a confusing turn for Indian viewers.
Was Copa America 2024 Available in India?
Unfortunately, Copa America 2024 was not officially broadcast or streamed in India.
Despite early reports naming FanCode and T Sports as possible partners, no official telecast or live stream was made available in the country once the tournament started.
Reasons Behind the Confusion:
No confirmed rights holder: No broadcaster finalized the rights deal for India before kickoff.
Unclear communication: Although CONMEBOL listed platforms for South Asia, those listings were not confirmed by Indian networks.
Focus on Euro 2024: Many Indian sports broadcasters were already airing UEFA Euro 2024, which took place around the same time, possibly overshadowing Copa America rights negotiations.
This left Indian fans without any legal or official way to watch the matches live — a rare disappointment for football lovers.
What Happened During Copa America 2024
Even though there was no official telecast, Copa America 2024 still drew attention worldwide:
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, entered as defending champions.
The tournament featured 16 teams and exciting matchups between North and South American nations.
Global fans could stream it through official platforms like Fox Sports (USA), DSports (Latin America), and TSN (Canada).
Unfortunately, Indian fans had to rely on highlights, live updates, and social media clips due to the absence of official broadcasting.
Past Copa America Broadcasts in India
Copa America has a long fan base in India. In earlier editions, Indian viewers could easily watch matches through major sports channels.
Copa America 2015 and 2016: Broadcast on Sony Six and Sony LIV.
Copa America 2019: Telecast on Sony Ten Network and streamed on SonyLIV App.
Copa America 2021: Also available on Sony Sports and SonyLIV.
These partnerships gave Indian fans access to every match, including Argentina’s iconic victory in 2021.
The 2024 blackout marked the first time in years that Copa America was unavailable on Indian television or any official streaming platform.
Where to Watch Copa America Highlights in India
Even though live matches weren’t shown, fans could still follow Copa America 2024 through:
1. YouTube (Official Copa America Channel)
Uploaded highlights, goals, and match summaries.
Available for free to Indian viewers.
2. CONMEBOL’s Official Website (copaamerica.com)
- Provided live score updates, team news, and tournament standings.
- Official pages of Argentina Football, Brazil Football, and Copa America shared real-time clips and behind-the-scenes content on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook.
These sources became the go-to for Indian fans to stay connected with the tournament.
Looking ahead to Copa America 2028, it’s expected that broadcasting rights in India will be clearer and more streamlined.
Likely Options Include:
Sony Sports Network: Historically covered previous editions.
Sports18 / JioCinema: Currently holds rights for major football tournaments like UEFA and Serie A.
FanCode: A growing sports streaming platform in India that could secure exclusive rights.
Krafton or CONMEBOL may also choose to partner with Indian broadcasters earlier in the cycle to avoid the confusion that occurred in 2024.
Legal and Safe Ways to Watch
If Copa America is not officially broadcast in India, it’s important to avoid illegal or pirated streams. These can contain malware, phishing ads, and copyright violations.
Instead, Indian viewers can:
Use official streaming apps if rights are announced later.
Watch highlights on Copa America’s verified YouTube channel.
Follow match analysis and news updates on platforms like ESPN, Goal.com, and Olympics.com.
Staying with verified platforms ensures safe and high-quality access without breaking digital laws.
The confusion surrounding Copa America 2024 highlighted an important issue — the need for consistent broadcasting rights for international football in India.
As the sport continues to grow in popularity across the country, broadcasters are likely to:
Secure rights earlier for tournaments like Copa America and Copa Libertadores.
Expand digital streaming partnerships to reach regional audiences.
Offer multilingual commentary (Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc.) to attract a wider fan base.
With India’s massive football-loving population, broadcasters are expected to fill this gap in future editions.
Conclusion
As of now, Copa America is not officially available to stream or watch live in India. The 2024 edition had no legal broadcaster or streaming partner, leaving fans disappointed.
However, highlights and updates were available on YouTube and Copa America’s official website, allowing viewers to follow matches safely.
For future tournaments, fans should watch out for early announcements from networks like Sony Sports, JioCinema, or FanCode, which are most likely to bring the tournament back to Indian screens.
Until then, Indian football fans will continue to support their favorite South American stars through official highlights and global updates.
FAQs
Where can I watch Copa America in India?
As of the 2024 edition, Copa America was not available on any TV channel or app in India. There was no official broadcaster. Fans could only watch highlights and updates on YouTube and Copa America’s official website. Future editions may return to Sony or Jio platforms.
Was Copa America 2024 streamed in India?
No, Copa America 2024 had no official live streaming in India. Early reports suggested FanCode or T Sports might stream it, but neither did. Fans had to rely on highlights, match clips, and global coverage to follow the tournament legally and safely.
Why was Copa America not shown in India?
The broadcasting rights for India were not finalized in time before the tournament started. Additionally, overlapping with UEFA Euro 2024 led most broadcasters to prioritize European matches instead. As a result, Copa America 2024 had no official telecast in the country.
Will Copa America 2028 be available in India?
It’s likely that future editions, including Copa America 2028, will have confirmed Indian broadcasters as fan interest continues to grow. Platforms like Sony Sports, JioCinema, or FanCode are strong contenders to bring the tournament back to Indian audiences.
Is it legal to watch Copa America through VPN or unofficial sites?
No, streaming Copa America through unofficial websites or VPN-based illegal streams is not legal in India. It can expose users to cyber risks and copyright violations. Always rely on official broadcasters or authorized platforms for safe and legal viewing.
