The groups for the Concacaf Gold Cup have been decided, and the United States finds itself in Group D alongside Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 14 and conclude with the final on July 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. This edition of the Gold Cup might see a stronger US team than usual, especially after their less-than-stellar performance at the Concacaf Nations League Finals. New coach Mauricio Pochettino may want to use this tournament to solidify the team.
With the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, just a year away, this Gold Cup offers a crucial opportunity for these nations to play competitive matches beforehand. As the host nation, the U.S. will bypass Concacaf World Cup qualifying, making the Gold Cup even more important for them.
Canada will also host games in this tournament, with Vancouver being a first-time host city. Other host cities will be in the United States, spread across the Midwest and West Coast. The tournament will overlap with the FIFA Club World Cup for a portion of the summer.
The United States` disappointing result in the Nations League, which Mexico won, could motivate them to field top players like Christian Pulisic at the Gold Cup. This tournament would provide Pochettino with an extended period to work with the senior team and help the USMNT define their identity under his leadership, while building positive momentum for the upcoming World Cup. Saudi Arabia, as a guest participant, will offer strong competition in their group. Here’s a look at how the groups are set up.
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 advance to the knockout stage to compete for the Gold Cup title. Mexico is the current champion, while the United States last won in 2021. The draw brings back memories of Trinidad & Tobago eliminating the U.S. from the 2018 World Cup qualification. The USA will also face Saudi Arabia, who famously upset Argentina, the eventual World Cup champions, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This tournament presents a valuable chance for Pochettino to move forward and test his team.
While no group is definitively a “group of death,” Mexico`s pairing with a rising Suriname team 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 strength of Concacaf teams, there are no guaranteed easy matches. All three major North American teams will aim to win the Gold Cup in Houston.
Key Dates
- Group Stage: June 14 – 24
- Quarterfinals: June 28 – 29
- Semifinals: July 2
- Final: July 6
