Mexico's CONCACAF dominance continues

Gold Cup review by James Nalton

- Gold Cup review by James Nalton

With a World Cup looming and international football preparing to descend on North American shores in 2026, it was Mexico who claimed CONCACAF's last regional prize before then, extending their record as the Gold Cup's most successful team and confirming themselves as the strongest of the three co-hosts.

It was a milestone tenth tournament win for Mexico and came at a time when all three 2026 hosts are experiencing some degree of apprehension to go with the excitement and anticipation of a World Cup on home soil. Are Mexico, Canada and the United States ready to welcome the world? And will their teams put up a respectable showing on the pitch when it matters most?

A 2025 summer of football in the United States gave some clues as to the answers, but it was Mexico who emerged from this Gold Cup with the most convincing response.

The added intrigue provided by the impending World Cup was not limited to those hosting it. CONCACAF's other nations were using the Gold Cup not only as tournament experience but also as preparation for their World Cup qualifying campaigns, which enter the crucial third-round stage later this year.

Those who underperformed in the Gold Cup, such as Jamaica and Panama, will claim lessons learned, while the teams that progressed and impressed, such as Guatemala and Honduras, will be looking to carry this momentum into September's matches, where there are three World Cup spots up for grabs along with two inter-confederation playoff places.

Because Canada, Mexico and the United States qualify for the 2026 World Cup as hosts, these Gold Cup games were their final competitive fixtures before the big 48-team tournament kicks off next June. Only one of the three will be pleased with the outcome.