SPORTS
CONCACAF’s top event will take place in the US from June 24 to July 16
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Cuba managed to avoid Mexico and the United States, two of the strongest rivals in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Soccer, better known as Concacaf, during the draw held this Friday to draw up the groups for the 2023 Gold Cup.
The Cuban soccer team was placed in group D, which had Canada as the top seed. They will be joined by Guatemala and another team that is yet to be defined, but which should be Trinidad and Tobago.
Group Stage ✅ pic.twitter.com/tLECqzO72W
— Gold Cup (@GoldCup) April 14, 2023
For its part, Mexico will face Honduras, Haiti and Qatar in group B, in search of revenge after being runner-up in the last edition against the United States. Qatar, host of the last World Cup, was invited for the second consecutive edition to the Gold Cup, after reaching the semifinals in the last edition, in which they lost to the United States.
The hosts will be accompanied in section A by Jamaica, Nicaragua and a team from the playoffs. While in C is Costa Rica, Panama and El Salvador.
Gold Cup 2023 Calendar
- Preliminary phase: June 16
- Group phase: June 24 to July 4 (Cuba begins)
- Quarterfinals: July 8 and 9
- Semifinals: July 12
- End: July 16
Since its first participation in 1998, the Cuban team has been present in seven editions of the Concacaf Gold Cup. Throughout these years, the team has managed to reach the quarterfinals three times: in 2003, 2013 and 2015. Despite these achievements, they were eliminated in that round on all occasions.
The tournament, which is held every two years, is the most important in the North, Central America and the Caribbean region. The first edition was held in 1963, but it was not until 1991 when it adopted the name of the Gold Cup and became an official event of Concacaf.
In addition to sporting glory, participation in the Gold Cup also grants an economic prize. The amount varies depending on the edition of the tournament and the agreements between the confederation and the sponsors, but it is estimated that each team receives an approximate amount of 200,000 to 500,000 US dollars for their participation in the tournament.
The Gold Cup champion team also receives a financial reward, which may vary from one edition to another. In the 2021 edition, for example, the champion team, the United States, received a prize of 1 million dollars; while the runner-up team, Mexico, received $500,000. Cash prizes are also awarded to the teams that finish in third and fourth place.