Copa America Centenario: Team Power Rankings

The Copa America Centenario is nearly upon us and teams across the Western Hemisphere have traveled to the United States to compete in the 100th anniversary edition of South America's storied international tournament. The competition will be fierce as teams packed with star players prepare to do battle.

Here's how we rank the 16 teams ahead of first kick:

16. Haiti

A surprise inclusion in this edition of the Copa America, Haiti makes its tournament debut in 2016 after defeating Trinidad and Tobago in the play-in round. Soni Mustivar of Sporting Kansas City and Stephane Lambese of Paris Saint-Germain headline Patrice Neveu's side, which is a firm minnow in this competition.

15. Panama

Another team making its Copa America debut, Panama has enjoyed a tremendous amount of growth in the last decade and could prove a tricky customer for the likes of Argentine or Chile. With Vancouver Whitecaps forward Blas Perez leading the line, how could Panama be anything less?

14. Venezuela

Mired in political turmoil, Venezuelan fans tuning in for the Copa America harbor little by way of hope for triumph and glory. The Vinotinto is capable of pulling off the odd win but is overly reliant on West Brom striker Salomon Rondon, since many star players have retired.

13. Jamaica

Jamaica finished second in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and looks to shake off that disappointment with a good showing this summer. Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake is in blistering form and Leicester City captain Wes Morgan hopes his fairy-tale story carries over to the international stage.

12. Bolivia

Bolivia is often dismissed as a minnow in South America, but Julio Cesar Baldivieso's side can sometimes punch above its weight - La Verde beat Ecuador 3-2 in the 2015 edition, after all. Bolivia also has a player named Rodrigo Ramallo who plays for a club called "The Strongest" so ... there's that.

11. Peru

You wouldn't be wrong to assume Peru is one of the underdogs of South America, since this team hasn't participated in a World Cup in quite a few years. Still, Peru is a force worth noting in Copa America - Los Incas finished third in 2015 and 2011, after all.

10. Costa Rica

Costa Rica might be ranked a little higher if Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas wasn't ruled out with injury, but as it stands, Los Ticos remain strong competitors; much of the team that made a deep run in the 2014 FIFA World Cup returns for this competition, too.

9. Paraguay

Paraguay has a slight edge over Costa Rica in these power rankings due to its Copa America final appearance in 2011 and fourth-place finish in 2015. La Albirroja also boasts attacking talents like Juan Iturbe and Antonio Sanabria.

8. United States

The United States enters this tournament firmly mid-table, a CONCACAF force eclipsed by South America's top-half teams. Jurgen Klinsmann has assembled established veterans like Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey alongside young up-and-comers like Bobby Wood and Christian Pulisic. Will it work?

7. Ecuador

Ecuador has enjoyed a tremendous World Cup qualifying campaign, sitting pretty atop the pile in CONMEBOL tied with Uruguay with 13 points. La Tricolor will call on Premier League mainstays like Enner Valencia, Antonio Valencia, and Jefferson Montero to challenge for the top spot in Group B.

6. Mexico

Under new manager Juan Carlos Osorio, Mexico has yet to lose a game, and El Tri will be pleased with the proximity of its matches to the border. Mexico's rampant support will make for a distinct home-field feel, and the advantage that comes with it could spur this side on to glory.

5. Colombia

James Rodriguez is one of the most recognizable players in the world but his bench role at Real Madrid supposedly has him disheartened; the Copa America is his chance to assert his dominance once more and Colombia will be all the better for it.

4. Chile

Just one year ago, Chile tasted triumph in the 2015 Copa America and enjoyed the label of South America's best team that comes with it. Unfortunately, that claim might be short-lived: One year on, Chile has to defend its title. Still, Arturo Vidal and co. remain a tenacious, hard-tackling, and skillful side.

3. Brazil

Brazil might have had a legitimate claim for the No. 2 slot if not for the absence of Neymar and the departures of Luiz Gustavo, Rafinha, Douglas Costa, Ricardo Oliveira, and Kaka. As it stands, too many of Brazil's key contributors have been left out or injured and the current crop is, at best, unproven.

2. Uruguay

Any team with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani up top is going to threaten on the attack, but Uruguay has the added benefit of two of the finest defenders in the world in its back four in Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez. Though Uruguay's midfield is lacking, that sort of balance isn't easy to find in the Western Hemisphere.

1. Argentina

So rich in talent is Argentina that Napoli top scorer Gonzalo Higuain can't even break into the starting XI; how do you displace the likes of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, and Sergio Aguero? While the Albiceleste missed out on the 2014 FIFA World Cup title in the final, this team remains one of the strongest in international football.