Distinct LaLiga flavour as Copa America Centenario kicks into gear

A meeting between hosts the United States and Colombia will raise the curtain on the Copa America Centenario, which is set to feature 29 LaLiga players representing nine of the 16 participating countries.

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and reigning champions Chile are considered the leading contenders to taste glory in the final on 26 June in East Rutherford, New Jersey, although the likes of Uruguay, Mexico, Paraguay and the USA are all possible dark horses who will be intent on springing a surprise.

There are 29 #LaLiga players set to compete at the #CopaAmerica 2016!

Full list  https://t.co/sNW03XfGkU pic.twitter.com/XTzTmTqXCD

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) June 2, 2016

With Lionel Messi leading the charge, Argentina are arguably the favourites for the crown. Gerardo Martino's men are gunning to capture the Copa America for the first time since 1993, having been beaten in the final in three of the last four editions. Messi is joined by four fellow Liga BBVA stars in the Albiceleste squad: his FC Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano, Atletico Madrid midfield duo Matias Kranevitter and Augusto Fernandez, and Sevilla FC midfielder Ever Banega. The Argentinians have been drawn alongside Chile, Panama and Bolivia in the group stage.

Title holders Chile also have five LaLiga representatives in their ranks. Claudio Bravo, Marcelo Diaz, Pablo Hernandez, Fabian Orellana and Enzo Roco are some of the standout names for a team looking to retain the trophy they clinched just a year ago on home soil.

A Brazil squad boasting Casemiro, Filipe Luis and Diego Alves in their ranks begin the Copa America with strong credentials, having won four of the last seven editions of the competition. The Canarinha are contenders to win any tournament they enter and will take on Ecuador, Haiti and Peru in the group stage.

Uruguay are still the most celebrated country in Copa America history, having won it a staggering 15 times, one more than neighbours Argentina. With the Liga BBVA's top goalscorer, Luis Suarez, raring to go and a strong defence including Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez and Getafe CF's Alvaro Pereira, Oscar Tabarez's side will be confident of progressing from a group also containing Mexico, Jamaica and a Venezuela squad including Adalberto Peñaranda, Juanpi and Roberto Rosales from the Liga BBVA, plus Liga Adelante pair Alexander Gonzalez (SD Huesca) and Dani Hernandez (CD Tenerife).

The other group appears to be the most balanced one, with the United States, Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay doing battle. It is in this section that the action will kick off, with Real Madrid's James Rodriguez hoping to play a key role in the opening fixture against the hosts in Santa Clara, California.