Gold Cup Group Stage: Jamaica to Face United States, Nicaragua and Qualifier
On Friday, the draw for the first round of the Concacaf Gold Cup took place, revealing which teams would be playing against each other. Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were placed in Group A along with defending champions, the United States, Nicaragua, and one of four potential teams, Curaçao, French Guiana, St Kitts and Nevis, or Sint Maarten.
The tournament will commence on June 24 and conclude with the final on July 16, to be held in Inglewood, California. The specific dates and locations for the group stage matches have not yet been announced.
Mexico was assigned to Group B, where they will play against Haiti, Honduras, and the invited guest team, Qatar. Group C comprises of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, and one of four possible teams: Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Lucia, or Suriname.
In Group D, Canada will face off against Cuba, Guatemala, and one of four potential teams: Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, or Trinidad and Tobago.
The US has an impressive record in the Gold Cup group stage, with 38 wins, one loss, and four draws.
They are currently ranked 13th in the world, while Jamaica is ranked 63rd, Curaçao 88th, St Kitts and Nevis 139th, and Nicaragua 140th. French Guiana and Sint Maarten are not ranked due to their non-membership status with FIFA.
Mexico has won the Gold Cup eight times, the US seven times, and Canada once.
The tournament will be held at various locations, including AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina; Soldier Field in Chicago; TQL Stadium in Cincinnati; DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona; Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey; NRG Stadium and Shell Energy Stadium in Houston; Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas; Citypark Stadium in St. Louis; Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego; Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California; and BMO Field in Toronto.
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