Uruguayan players celebrating the 3–0 victory against Paraguay in the 2011 Copa América final.The Uruguayan squad that won the inaugural South American Championship in 1916.
The Copa América is South America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion. Until 1967, the tournament was known as South American Championship. It is the oldest continental championship in the world with its first edition held in 1916.
Uruguay won the inaugural tournament in Argentina, making them the first nation to hold an international football title worldwide. They are the second-most successful team in tournament history with fifteen titles, behind rivals Argentina by one.
Until 1927, the South American Championship was held annually, and Uruguay were the dominating team during this early era, winning six out of eleven tournaments. Part of all six victorious squads was inside-forward Ángel Romano, who holds the record for most titles and for most tournament participations (9).
In the era of the South American Championship, Round Robins were more commonly played than knock-out tournaments. Listed are the decisive matches which secured Uruguay the respective titles.
Fernando Muslera is Uruguay's all-time record appearance holder at the Copa América.Ángel Romano is a six-time South American champion and Uruguay's record participant in number of tournaments. In addition, he scored twelve goals during that time, ranking him third in Uruguay's top scorer list at continental championships.