Predicting the CONCACAF Gold Cup Bracket, Group Stage to Champ

Final: Mexico vs. Canada - July 6 in NRG Stadium

Mexico is currently ranked 17th in the FIFA world rankings, and they enter the Gold Cup as defending champions and Concacaf Nations League winners. This is an excellent opportunity for Mexico to again establish itself as the preeminent team in the region heading into the critical 2026 World Cup. If Alphonso Davies was fit and playing, Canada might be the pick here, but the Canadians' defensive frailty bites them in this contest, and Mexico takes its second straight Gold Cup title.

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Winner: Mexico

Group A Winner: Mexico

Mexico is ranked 17th in the world, and it has the deepest and best squad in the field. Add in the relative health of this team, and it is an easy pick to breeze through Group A.

Group A Runner-Up: Costa Rica

Gone are the glory days for the Costa Rican National Team, but this team is filled with players who can remember them. Manager Miguel Herrera is back, and he convinced legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas to return to the team. The core of this team is a group of aged veterans, but there are finally signs of youth beginning to filter in. They have enough to squeak into the knockout round.

Group B Winner: Canada

Mexico and the United States have dominated this tournament. Canada is the only other nation to break through and seize a title, but that came back in 2000. This squad can change that. They are ranked 30th in the world and have a lot of firepower in attack, but Alphonso Davies is out with an injury, which could hamper their chances to challenge for the crown.

Group B Runner-Up: El Salvador

Honduras and Curacao are worthy contenders for the No. 2 spot in the group. Still, the Hondurans will be without their best player (defender Andy Najar), and Curacao likely doesn't quite have the offensive punch to put together enough attack to advance. That leaves El Salvador and renowned manager Hernan Gomez as the pick.

Group C Winner: Panama

Panama should not be forgotten. They have beaten the United States two straight times and were finalists in the Concacaf Nations League in March before falling to Mexico. This is a well-drilled and sound group that has the ability to challenge for a spot deep into this tournament.

Group C Runner-Up: Jamaica

The Reggae Boyz are not flying high, but the other two teams in this group are among the weakest in the field, so Jamaica should be able to earn the runner-up spot almost by default.

Group D Winner: United States

The United States Men's National Team has lost four straight games, entering the Gold Cup in wretched form and with a shell of the roster expected to be present for the 2026 World Cup. This tournament represents the last competition the US will face before that momentous occasion next summer, so it is crucial. Still, they'll be without Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson, and Folarin Balogun. It's not hyperbole to say this is a "B/C" team for the Americans. The group is relatively tame, but winning the group is not a guarantee with this roster.

Group D Runner-Up: Saudi Arabia

Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago are the other two teams competing with Saudi Arabia for advancement. Both teams are flirting with FIFA rankings near 100, while Saudi Arabia is 58th. The 2034 World Cup hosts were invited to the tournament as the guest team, and the Asian Football Confederation contender should be an interesting watch with a squad of mostly unknown players.

Q1: 1D - USA vs. 2A - Costa Rica

The United States gets a favorable knockout round matchup and advances to the next round with an unconvincing victory over an aging Costa Rican team. Costa Rica has plenty of experience, but the US should be quicker and more athletic, despite the Americans' significant squad absences.

Winner - United States

Q2: 1B - Canada vs. 2C - Jamaica

The Canadians are without Alphonso Davies, but the star power in their attack is enough to get by a mediocre Jamaican squad. Jesse Marsch has a veteran group that won't be tested enough defensively to prove problematic, at least not yet.

Winner - Canada

Q3: 1A - Mexico vs. 2D - Saudi Arabia

El Tri is the favorite in this event for a reason. Mexico should coast through Group A, and Saudi Arabia does not have enough offensive firepower to keep up. Mexico should comfortably advance to the semifinals.

Winner: Mexico

Q4: 1C - Panama vs. 2B - El Salvador

Panama knocked off the United States in the Nations League semifinal in March and beat the Americans in the Copa America group stage a year ago. They were in the Gold Cup final last time this tournament was held and should not be taken lightly.

Winner - Panama

Semifinal #1 - Canada vs. United States

The United States is without several significant players and will be missing most of its projected best starting eleven. Canada's Alphonso Davies is a big miss, but the Canadians are the stronger side at this tournament, and the Americans' rotten recent form cannot be overlooked.

Winner - Canada

Semifinal #2: Mexico vs. Panama

These two teams are no strangers, and recent meetings suggest it could be a very interesting and hotly contested semifinal. However, Mexico has a better and deeper squad and advances to the final.

Winner - Mexico

Final: Mexico vs. Canada - July 6 in NRG Stadium

Mexico is currently ranked 17th in the FIFA world rankings, and they enter the Gold Cup as defending champions and Concacaf Nations League winners. This is an excellent opportunity for Mexico to again establish itself as the preeminent team in the region heading into the critical 2026 World Cup. If Alphonso Davies was fit and playing, Canada might be the pick here, but the Canadians' defensive frailty bites them in this contest, and Mexico takes its second straight Gold Cup title.

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Winner: Mexico