Copa America Centenario had already announced Brazil would be heading to the Orlando Citrus Bowl, with the promise of a big game for the stadium in the Western Hemisphere’s premiere soccer competition. Now the rest of the schedule is out.
Orlando will host three games for Copa America Centenario, the 100th anniversary of the premiere tournament. Brazil will take on Haiti in what will likely be a lopsided affair on June 8 in the final match in Orlando for the group stage of the tournament.
In the other two matches, Paraguay will take on Costa Rica on June 4 and Panama takes on Bolivia on June 6.
As far as competitiveness goes, that first game between Paraguay and Costa Rica will likely be the best. “Los Ticos” from Costa Rica made a surprising run to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. They are largely considered the third best team in CONCACAF behind the United States and Mexico.
Paraguay is not shabby themselves. Paraguay is ranked No. 42 in the world by FIFA, not too far No. 31 Costa Rica. Certainly both are capable of making a surprising run through this tournament. The United States is actually ranked one spot behind Costa Rica in the latest FIFA rankings.
Neither Panama nor Bolivia are ranked in the top 50. There should be some fans traveling in for that game and that opportunity, but it is not a super attractive match for the casual fan.
Fans will almost certainly sell out the Brazil game against Haiti. It could be one of the toughest tickets there is in sports in Orlando this year.
That might turn into double. Brazil may schedule a friendly in Orlando before the beginning of their June 4 opener in Pasadena, Calif. Brazil is reportedly going to make their pre-tournament headquarters in Orlando before the tournament begins.
There may be multiple opportunities to watch Brazil. But that is not official quite yet.
For now Orlando gets the one shot at Brazil at the end of the group stage of the tournament that features the teams of South America along with six teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. For the tournament’s 100th anniversary, they decided to invite more CONCACAF countries and hold the tournament in the United States.
Orlando’s games will be interesting for sure and should provide some good entertainment in June at the Citrus Bowl.
