The CONCACAF Gold Cup Competition Starts Without Stars

• The tournament kicks off without many leading players due to injuries and other commitments.
• The favorites of the competition—Canada, Mexico, and the USA—will use this opportunity to develop young footballers.
• The style of play at the Gold Cup is characterized by physicality, but referees show leniency towards fouls.

This is reported by Associated Press, ESPN.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup will begin on Saturday, June 13, 2025, featuring 16 teams. However, many leading players will be absent from the tournament due to injuries, vacations, and calls to youth national teams.

Canada, Mexico, and the USA, who are the favorites, will try to utilize this tournament to expand their rosters. Canadian coach Jesse Marsch noted that the team has many young players who need match experience.

Mexico, the reigning champion, will open the tournament with a match against the Dominican Republic. The USA, currently experiencing a period of setbacks, will start their journey on Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia and Haiti.

Canada has been placed in a group with Honduras, El Salvador, and Curaçao, while Panama will compete against Jamaica, Guatemala, and Guadeloupe.

Mexico's head coach Javier Aguirre believes his team has an obligation to play as favorites. Mexico has won nine Gold Cups, while the USA has seven, and Canada claimed the title in 2000.

The tournament will take place simultaneously with the Club World Cup, meaning some leading players may be unavailable due to FIFA priorities.

The USA is also facing numerous absences, including Christian Pulisic, who has taken a vacation, and several others who are injured or participating in the club championship.

Analyzing the style of play at the Gold Cup, it is important to note the physicality that is characteristic of the competition. Statistics show that there are more fouls recorded in Gold Cup matches than in other international competitions, but fewer yellow cards, indicating referees' leniency towards physical play.

At the same time, the style of play in CONCACAF is noticeably different from the European style, which may affect teams' preparations for the upcoming World Cup. This tournament, while important, does not provide a clear picture of what teams may face on the world stage.

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