The Concacaf Gold Cup kicks off this weekend, marking the ultimate main worldwide event during which the US, Mexico, and Canada will take part earlier than internet hosting the boys’s FIFA World Cup in 2026. These North American groups are the one ones who’ve lifted the Gold Cup earlier than.
Nevertheless, with different contenders coming off World Cup qualification matches to hitch the North American groups within the subject, and a few of the favorites lacking stars as a result of simultaneous FIFA Membership World Cup, it appears like this 12 months may see a event crammed with surprises.
With that in thoughts, we give you one factor it is advisable to learn about every staff taking part within the continental championship.
Group A
Mexico (FIFA rating: 17)
El Tri go into the Gold Cup because the defending champions, not solely of this event but additionally contemporary off their first Concacaf Nations League title. But, it nonetheless would not really feel like Mexico is head and shoulders above a lot of its rivals within the area, particularly the North Individuals.
This event provides the staff the chance to show that not solely is it the highest staff in Concacaf, but additionally that issues are going effectively forward of the World Cup returning to the nation in 2026. The failure to get out of the group in 2022 nonetheless lingers contemporary, however the latest triumphs have swung the temper in a much more optimistic course.
The hope is {that a} sturdy defensive base will maintain and that along with getting good showings from veteran ahead Raúl Jiménez, the hero of the Nations League Last 4 video games but additionally of the quarterfinal collection with Honduras. Alexis Vega may even replicate the artistic position he performed for Toluca on the way in which to the Liga MX title. Contributions from youthful expertise like AC Milan ahead Santiago Gimenez and even 16-year-old rising star Gilberto Mora, who made the ultimate roster, would even be welcomed.
Costa Rica (FIFA rating: 54)
Supervisor Miguel Herrera is right here. So is veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas. It isn’t the 2014 cycle, however each males are a pleasure to observe and can characteristic, Navas after Herrera satisfied him to return to the nationwide staff following his worldwide retirement final 12 months. Generational change has been the narrative round Costa Rica for years, however Navas apart, it seems to lastly have taken place. Sixteen gamers on the Gold Cup squad have been born within the 2000s.
Suriname (FIFA rating: 137)
Suriname is led by supervisor Stanley Menzo, a legendary Ajax goalkeeper who performed beneath Johan Cruyff. Along with his on-field trophies, Menzo was a pioneer for Black gamers within the Netherlands, standing as much as abuse all through his illustrious profession. A lot of his gamers have been born within the Netherlands, however regardless of suiting up for the Dutch nationwide staff, Menzo himself was born in Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital.
Dominican Republic (FIFA rating: 139)
The D.R. is making its debut on the event, the newest second of success for the nation after qualifying for the Paris Olympics final 12 months. Former Actual Madrid ahead Mariano Díaz not too long ago recommitted to the nationwide staff as its rise continues, scoring in a March pleasant towards Puerto Rico.
Díaz had debuted — and scored — in a 2013 pleasant towards Haiti earlier than deciding to carry out for an opportunity to play for the nation of his delivery, Spain. As a substitute, he has now scored two targets for them, 12 years and a day aside.
Group B
Canada (FIFA rating: 30)
Canada is the one staff aside from Mexico or the U.S. to win the event, nevertheless it’s getting more durable and more durable to keep in mind that magical second again in 2000. Whereas absences due to harm or the Membership World Cup (or each within the case of mega-star Alphonso Davies) will dent the staff, the Canada squad continues to look increasingly harmful.
Issues will nonetheless should go good for Jesse Marsch to win a primary main trophy in a quarter-century, however forwards Jonathan David and Promise David arrive in good kind, and the midfield has numerous high quality as effectively. With out heart again Moïse Bombito, the largest query is an undesirable throwback to the years earlier than Canada locked up 2022 qualification. Can this staff defend effectively sufficient to return to the trophy stand?
Honduras (FIFA rating: 75)
Whereas he scored his first-ever purpose for the nationwide staff within the 2013 version of the Gold Cup, Nashville SC defender Andy Najar is opting to not play within the Gold Cup, suiting up for Honduras in World Cup qualification, however returning for MLS play after. The fullback’s absence can be felt each on the again by a Honduras staff with defensive questions, but additionally going ahead as chance-creation has been slim, illustrated by an personal purpose being their solely tally in a latest qualifier towards the Cayman Islands.
El Salvador (FIFA rating: 81)
After struggling in 2024, El Salvador turned to Hernan “El Bolillo” Gomez to proper the ship. He’s finest recognized within the area for getting Panama to the 2018 World Cup, the nation’s first-ever qualification, however he is additionally carried out it for Ecuador and his native Colombia. He beforehand labored with Honduras and Guatemala within the Concacaf area.
La Selecta have by no means gotten to the semifinal stage of the Gold Cup. If that modifications with a magical run this 12 months, Gomez will rightly burnish his fame as a miracle-worker.
Curacao (FIFA rating: 90)
Whereas participant recruitment all the time has been an enormous a part of the technique for Curacao, supervisor Dick Advocaat is pleased to lean on expertise. Led by heart again Cuco Martina with 68, eight gamers in his Gold Cup squad have 25 or extra caps, with 5 of these gamers having 40 or extra. These are exceptional numbers for a staff that does not play as many pleasant matches as North American rivals like Mexico or the US.
Group C
Panama (FIFA rating: 33)
Having knocked off the US to get to the Nations League last in March, beat the U.S. within the Copa América group stage final summer time and earn a shootout win to make the earlier Gold Cup last, Panama supervisor Thomas Christiansen’s group has started to earn a fame as a large slayer, or no less than the slayer of a really particular large. Nonetheless, the query stays whether or not the staff can be ok to recover from the hump and truly raise a trophy somewhat than merely making finals.
Jamaica (FIFA rating: 63)
Whilst supervisor Steve McClaren leverages his connections in England to persuade extra eligible gamers to join the Reggae Boyz, a former Manchester United participant already within the fold retains incomes a spot. Ravel Morrison spent the final season in Dubai with a lower-league membership referred to as Precision FC, however is on the Gold Cup squad and seeking to earn a beginning position within the midfield.
Guatemala (FIFA rating: 106)
Whereas Los Chapines stay largely primarily based within the Guatemalan league (historic Guatemala Metropolis golf equipment Municipal and Comunicaciones well-represented, as is reigning champion Antigua), supervisor Luis Fernando Tena can also be pleased so as to add U.S.-based gamers to his squad, a lot of whom have been born exterior Central America.
The newest is Damian Rivera, a Rhode Island-born attacker who moved to Phoenix Rising of the USL Championship this season after arising within the New England Revolution system. Rivera performed for the U.S. and Costa Rica on the youth stage, however YouTuber-slash-scout Juan Rodas discovered he was eligible for Guatemala and added him to the listing of gamers he is helped persuade to placed on the blue and white shirt.
Guadeloupe (FIFA rating: N/A)
Not being a member of FIFA, the Gold Cup is the highest competitors to which Guadeloupe can qualify, and Les Gwada Boys did so by profitable each legs of their Gold Cup qualification collection with Nicaragua in March, getting 1-0 victories in every match. At age 39, defender Méddy Lina is the oldest subject participant on a Gold Cup roster.
Group D
United States (FIFA rating: 16)
In some unspecified time in the future, the analysts wanting on the USMNT’s Gold Cup possibilities might want to take a look at the gamers who’re going to contest the event somewhat than those that aren’t. Already, there have been worries a couple of summer time with out Membership World Cup individuals Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna. Then, Christian Pulisic opted out, whereas Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson additionally needed to bow out due to harm. So too did ahead Folarin Balogun and goalkeeper Zack Steffen, amongst others.
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All of it means numerous alternatives for gamers to stump for inclusion within the 2026 World Cup roster, whether or not it’s a breakout from Paxten Aaronson, continued good play from Vancouver Whitecaps standouts Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White, or nice heart again play from regulars Chris Richards and Mark McKenzie. Supervisor Mauricio Pochettino appears flustered that he is spending this a lot time talking about getting a response from his staff and inspiring gamers to return in. Profitable the Gold Cup with this group would not remedy the bodily illnesses, however it might have the U.S. feeling rather a lot higher about subsequent summer time.
Haiti (FIFA rating: 83)
Haiti’s last Gold Cup roster boasts gamers who play their membership soccer in 15 totally different nations, in areas as various as Ecuador, the place heart again Ricardo Adé has change into a fixture for LDU Quito, to Lithuania, the place PSG academy product Garissone Harmless performed goalkeeper for Riteriai this previous season. It suits that supervisor Sebastien Migne is well-traveled, having labored within the Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Cameroon, crossing paths in Africa with fellow Frenchman and group rival Hervé Renard.
Trinidad and Tobago (FIFA rating: 100)
New supervisor Dwight Yorke was within the Trinidad and Tobago squad for its best-ever end on the Gold Cup in 2000. Yorke scored as soon as on the way in which to the semifinals, the place the Caribbean staff fell to eventual champion Canada. Whereas they’ve twice made the quarterfinals since, the final trip of the group was again in 2015, 10 years and 4 full editions in the past.
Saudi Arabia (FIFA rating: 58)
After visitor appearances from Qatar earlier than and after the 2022 World Cup, Concacaf is getting forward on the 2034 World Cup by inviting Saudi Arabia because the visitor staff. Whereas confederation officers say they invited French supervisor Renard’s squad partially due to Concacaf’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Asian Soccer Confederation, its partnership with the nation’s sovereign wealth fund additionally has to have been a powerful motivator.
