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Soccer | Jun 13

Everything You Need to Know About the CONCACAF Gold Cup

Get to Know the Teams, Format, and Key Players of the Region’s Biggest Competition

Everything You Need to Know About the CONCACAF Gold Cup
Carlos Rodriguez #8 of Mexico | Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

The players are more than motivated…

Going for Gold🏆

June Belongs to Soccer. Period.

We’ve got the FIFA Club World Cup stealing soccer news headlines, but this weekend, the CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off—another tournament full of chaos, passion, and surprises.

What the Hell is the Gold Cup?

If you’re new here, the Gold Cup is the biggest deal for national teams across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It’s been around for 62 years, but only got the “Gold Cup” name in ’91. Since then, it’s been an all-out war every two years. The countries don’t just show up, they show out.

Sixteen teams are in. Fifteen from CONCACAF, plus a guest; this time, it’s Saudi Arabia. Simple format: group stage, then knockouts. The top two from each group move on. No BS.

Here’s how the groups line up:

  • Group A: Mexico, Costa Rica, Suriname, Dominican Republic
  • Group B: Canada, Honduras, El Salvador, Curaçao
  • Group C: Panama, Jamaica, Guatemala, Guadeloupe
  • Group D: United States, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago, Saudi Arabia

 

Small tournament, fast pace. It runs from June 14 to July 6.

  • Group Stage: June 14 – 24
  • Quarterfinals: June 28 – 29
  • Semifinals: July 2
  • Final: July 6

Where’s It All Happening?

Technically, it’s co-hosted by the U.S. and Canada. Reality check: 13 out of 14 venues are in the States. Only one lonely stadium in Canada.

Since the Club World Cup is using the big guns, most Gold Cup matches will go down in MLS stadiums like:

  • Dignity Health Sports Park (LA Galaxy)
  • PayPal Park (San Jose Earthquakes)
  • CityPark (St. Louis CITY SC)

 

A few big venues will still make an appearance:

  • AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
  • SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)

 

The final match is set for NRG Stadium in Houston.

What’s at Stake?

Let’s be honest, this isn’t about money. Winner pockets $1 million. And the runner-up is just half. Many of these players make 5–7x that in a single season. The winner also gets a beautiful (gold-plated brass) trophy. On paper, it doesn’t seem like they’re fighting for much, but we have to look further. The players are representing their country against some of its fiercest rivals.

National pride and the right to call themselves the king of CONCACAF are at stake, and according to soccer rumors, the players are more than motivated.

Who’s Got Skin in the Game?

Only three countries have ever lifted this trophy. Guess what? They’re the ones to watch again.

Mexico

The reigning champs and nine-time winners. They’re the top dog until proven otherwise. This is also a test run for their 2026 World Cup squad.

Veterans like Raul Jimenez are back, with 12 goals and 3 assists this Premier League season. And keep your eye on 16-year-old Gilberto Mora. Kid’s electric.

USMNT

Seven titles under their belt, but things are shaky. Mauricio Pochettino’s crew has dropped four straight. Not a good look. And now they’re without Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, and the golden boy himself, Christian Pulisic, who opted out and caught heat for it.

Even so, the squad’s still stacked. If Pochettino can rally them, they’ve got the firepower to shut up the critics.

Canada

Only one Gold Cup to their name back in 2000, but under Jesse Marsch, they’ve turned into contenders. Marsch is already poking the bear, saying all his guys are hungry, and no one asked to skip the tournament.

They’re not just showing up. They want blood.

Betting 101: Get In the Game

New to betting? Gold Cup’s a solid entry point. Start with the moneyline—you’re just picking who wins or if there will be a draw.

Let’s take the opening match as an example:

  • Mexico (-850) vs Dominican Republic (+1800)
  • Draw: (+650)

Mexico’s the clear favorite. If you throw $100 on them, you’ll make $11.76 profit, not sexy, but safe. Of course, if you’ve got guts (or like chaos), betting on the underdog pays big if the miracle happens. In this case, for every $100 you bet, you can get a $1800 profit.

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