With less than a year to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026 on North American soil, this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup holds extra importance, with the host looking to lift a trophy in their final competitive matches ahead of the 48-team tournament.
That emphasis, though, has only resonated with some teams, creating one of the more intriguing setups in recent Gold Cup history. Some usual contenders, such as the U.S. men's national team, approach the tournament with a heavily rotated squad. Meanwhile, nations like Canada and Mexico were able to call on top players from Europe to play this summer.
At the same time, emerging countries like Suriname and Curaçao could pose threats, while Saudi Arabia enters as a guest team with plenty of World Cup experience.
With the tournament set to kick off on July 14, here’s how sees things potentially playing out.
