15 stadium venues in the US and Canada to host tournament
The Confédération de Football Association (Concacaf) announced on Tuesday that the 2023 Gold Cup will be held in 15 stadium venues across 14 cities in the United States and Canada. Four of the newest stadiums in the U.S. will feature in the tournament for the first time. They include SoFi Stadium, CITYPARK Stadium, Snapdragon Stadium, and TQL Stadium. The tournament is scheduled from June 16 to July 16, during which the best national team in the region will be crowned.
Final to be held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles
The final match of the tournament is scheduled for July 16 at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. This will mark the second time that Gold Cup has come back to Canada with BMO Field, in Toronto hosting a group stage doubleheader.
The schedule of matches will be announced soon after the official draw is conducted. The official draw is set to take place on Friday, April 14, 2023, at SoFi stadium.
United States, Jamaica, Nicaragua and play-in winner make up group A
The United States Men’s National Team has been paired with Jamaica, Nicaragua and a play-in winner involving Curaçao, St. Kitts & Nevis or French Guiana or Sint Maarten in Group A.
Costa Rica and Panama will face each other again after they won their respective concacaf Nations League A groups last week.
Mexico grouped with Qatar, Haiti and Honduras
Mexico have been grouped with Qatar, Haiti and Honduras in arguably the toughest group of the competition away from Copa America next year should Mexico and eliminate it during semifinals as well.
Record seven locations for Soldier Field and NRG Stadium to host Gold Cup
The tournament will feature a record seventh edition of Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, and NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas hosting games at the grounds.
The tournament is part of the region’s summer football fest
The tournament is part of the busy summer for Concacaf which includes the Final of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on June 4th and the Concacaf Nations League Finals in Las Vegas between 1518 June.
US Men’s National Team participation status
This year’s Gold Cup will see the United States Men’s National Team take part in Group A, with Jamaica, Nicaragua and a team that will qualify through the preliminary round.
The team schedules and specific match venues of the upcoming tournament are to be announced once confirmed.
Qatar to participate as guests
As previously reported, this year’s tournament features guest team Qatar, who are still looking for their first title in their region since moving from AFC to AFCMENA.
USMNT head coach Anthony Hudson has high hopes
USMNT head coach Anthony Hudson expressed that he was happy with the draw and anticipates tough competition from group opponents Jamaica, Nicaragua, and the yet-to-be-determined play-in team.
Important facts about individual team records
The U.S. Men’s National Team will be looking to secure its eighth confederation championship. It is important to note that no team has won back-to-back Gold Cups since Mexico in 2009 and 2011. Twelve teams have already advanced to the group stage of this year’s tournament after winning or finishing as runner-up in their respective Concacaf Nations League A or B groups.
In conclusion, with an impressive list of 15 stadium venues across 14 cities in Canada and the United States hosting games throughout the tournament along with some of the most competitive teams in the world, the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup is set to be an exciting event for football enthusiasts across the globe.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
