The 2025 Women’s Copa America kicks off this Friday in Quito, Ecuador, with Colombia among the favorites to take the title. Ten national teams will compete for the most prestigious honor in South American women’s football. The stakes are high, with qualification spots for both the Olympics and the Pan American Games on the line. The competition will run through August 2.
Colombia has been drawn into Group B, one of the most competitive in the tournament, featuring defending champions Brazil, as well as Paraguay, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Group A includes Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Peru. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. The tournament champion and runner-up will earn Olympic qualification, while the third-place team will secure a spot in the Pan American Games. The tournament will open with a match between host nation Ecuador and Uruguay at the Estadio Banco de Guayaquil.
Brazil and Colombia enter as favorites to win the 2025 Women’s Copa America
Colombia have been drawn into a tough group alongside Brazil, who are aiming for their fifth consecutive Copa America title. Brazil’s hopes for the title have been bolstered by the return of Marta—an icon of the sport and one of the greatest players in the history of women’s football.
Colombia enter the tournament as strong contenders. After a historic run to the quarter-finals at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, and an impressive showing at the SheBelieves Cup, Las Cafeteras pose a serious threat to Brazil’s dominance.
Under the guidance of head coach Angel Marsiglia, Colombia are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with stars Linda Caicedo and Mayra Ramirez leading the attack. The team finished as runners-up in the 2022 Copa America, falling to Brazil in the final. Marsiglia is likely to stick with his possession-based style, emphasizing build-up play from the back. Brighton’s Jorelyn Carabalí will anchor the defense.
👕 @Linda__caicedo 🆕 @Atheeneeaa_10 👕#RMCFHome | @adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/4XxfziwlMJ
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadridfem) June 7, 2025
Colombia will begin their 2025 Women’s Copa America campaign on July 16 with a match against Venezuela, followed by fixtures against Paraguay and Bolivia. They will close the group stage with what many are calling an “anticipated final” against Brazil.
The stars of the competition
Leading Colombia’s attack is 20-year-old Linda Caicedo, whose speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring prowess have made her a standout at Real Madrid and a driving force behind Colombia’s rise on the international stage. Argentina’s Yamila Rodríguez, known for her clinical finishing and top scorer honors in the previous Copa America, will once again be key to her nation’s hopes.
Host nation Ecuador will look to 18-year-old Nayely Bolaños, one of the tournament’s rising stars. After debuting at just 13, Bolaños hopes to carry over her scoring form from Mexican side Pumas to the continental stage.
Brazilian legend Marta, returning for what could be her final Copa America, is aiming for a record-breaking fourth title. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Deyna Castellanos will lead La Vinotinto, hoping to inspire a deep run in the tournament.