Everything you need to know about the 2023 Gold Cup
The USMNT are favored to repeat as CONCACAF champions this summer
The 2023 Gold Cup is the latest edition of the biennial tournament organized by CONCACAF. Considered the biggest competition for national teams in the region, the Gold Cup features the best teams from across North and Central America as well as the Caribbean.
This summer’s edition, which starts on Saturday, promises once again to be an exciting tournament. The United States, the defending champions after lifting the trophy in 2021, along with Canada and Mexico are favorites to win it.
Matches will be held in 16 venues across the United States and Canada. The 16-team tournament will culminate with the final, slated for July 16 at SoFi Stadium outside Los Angeles.
The first round is made up of four, round-robin groups. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout round.
Here’s a look at the four groups that make up the first round and the teams favored to advance:
Group A:
United States — Fresh off winning the Nations League, the USMNT remains the team to beat in this group and the entire tournament. The roster does not include veterans such as Christian Pulisic, but young stars like strikers Alejandro Zendejas and Julian Gressel are expected to fill that void.
Jamaica — The Raggae Boyz are led by a crop of English Premier League players such as strikers Bobby Reid (Fulham), striker Michail Antonio (West Ham) and Leon Bailey (West Ham). They are always tough to play against and after the U.S. are the best team in this group.
Trinidad and Tobago — The twin-island nation is a late replacement for Nicaragua after the Central Americans were banned for using an ineligible player in eight games. The Soca Warriors are also a tricky side and will reply on
Saint Kitts and Nevis — The Sugar Boyz survived the preliminary rounds to get the finals and will use the tournament to get some experience against bigger opponents.
USMNT and Jamaica advance
Group B:
Mexico — After finishing third at the Nations League, El Tri continues to struggle. Diego Cocca was hired as manager this past February, only to be fired this month and replaced with former Mexico Under-23 coach Jaime Lozano. Mexico are strong enough to get out of this group, but questions linger whether they can win it all.
Honduras — One of the toughest teams to play against from Central America, Los Catrachos should advance out of the group.
Qatar — Last year’s World Cup hosts are back as an invited team. Don’t expect much from a side that turned out to be a big disappointment when they played host.
Haiti — It’s true that the Haitians have tallied 22 goals in their last six games, but scoring that much in the group stage could prove very difficult.
Mexico and Honduras advance
Group C:
El Salvador — Coached by former USMNT midfielder Hugo Perez, the Salvadorians have also been quite competitive recently and even managed a draw against the U.S., last year.
Costa Rica — The Central Americans are the best team in this group, but they are no longer the tough opponents from the mid-2010s. The Ticos head into this tournaments with three defeats in its last four outings. They are strong enough for this group, but don’t expect them to get very far.
Panama — Los Canaleros could compete for second place — they won both their Nations League games against Costa Rica — but a lot will depend on whether striker Cecilio Waterman can score some big goals.
Martinique — After surviving the preliminaries, Martinique have now qualified for four of the previous five Gold Cups but don’t expect them to advance out of the group.
El Salvador and Costa Rica advance
Group D:
Canada — After losing the Nations League final to the United States, Canada are very much dreaming of winning some silverware. Headlined by 10 MLS-based players including Nashville SC striker Jacob Shaffelburg, the team is without stars like Alphonso Davies. Nonetheless, this is a team with depth and among one of the strongest at this competition.
Guadeloupe — Guadeloupe have appeared at this tournament on four previous occasions, making the knockout round twice. Striker Thierry Ambrose impressed during the Nations League, leading the team with three goals. The French territory could very well surprise the field once again.
Guatemala — They have struggled to get wins lately and that poor form doesn’t bode well given that this is the easiest group of the four.
Cuba — The island nation defeated Guadeloupe to clinch the top spot in Group A of League B to reach the Gold Cup finals. They will need another stunner like that in order to compete for second place in this group.
Canada and Guadeloupe advance