The groups for the Concacaf Gold Cup final have been decided. The United States finds itself in Group D alongside Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti. The tournament begins on June 14 and culminates in the final on July 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. This year`s Gold Cup is particularly significant as the United States might field a stronger team after a disappointing Concacaf Nations League Finals and with new coach Mauricio Pochettino leading the team.
With the Gold Cup happening just a year before the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it`s a crucial opportunity for these nations to engage in competitive matches leading up to the global event. As a host nation, the U.S. automatically qualifies for the World Cup, making the Gold Cup even more important for gaining competitive experience.
Canada will also host Gold Cup matches for the first time, with Vancouver among the selected cities. The United States will host the remaining games across various regions, from the Midwest to the West Coast. The tournament schedule will overlap with the FIFA Club World Cup during part of the summer.
The United States` recent Nations League disappointment, where Mexico emerged victorious, may motivate them to include top players like Christian Pulisic in the Gold Cup squad. This tournament provides coach Pochettino with an extended period to work with the senior team and help the USMNT define their identity and build positive momentum for the upcoming World Cup. Saudi Arabia, as an invited guest, presents a strong challenge in Group D. Let`s examine the complete group compositions.
Concacaf Gold Cup Groups
- Group A: Mexico, Costa Rica, Suriname, Dominican Republic
- Group B: Canada, Honduras, El Salvador, Curacao
- Group C: Panama, Jamaica, Guatemala, Guadeloupe
- Group D: United States, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago, Saudi Arabia
The top two teams from each group will proceed to the knockout stage, competing for the Gold Cup championship. Mexico is the current champion, while the United States last won in 2021. Memories of Trinidad & Tobago eliminating the U.S. from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers add extra intrigue to this group stage encounter. The U.S. will also face Saudi Arabia, who famously upset eventual World Cup champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This tournament offers Pochettino a valuable opportunity to move forward and build team confidence.
While no group is definitively a “group of death,” Mexico`s pairing with an improving Suriname could lead to surprises if Mexico isn`t careful. The United States, Mexico, and Canada are all expected to top their groups, but with the increasing quality of Concacaf teams due to dual-national recruitment, there are no guaranteed easy matches. All three nations will be aiming to win the Gold Cup in Houston.
Key Dates
- Group Stage: June 14 – 24
- Quarter finals: June 28 – 29
- Semi finals: July 2
- Final: July 6
Dominic Ashworth