The CONCACAF Gold Cup draw

Just when at work we were bemoaning the lack of summer football action, the Gold Cup arrived like the first summer wasp.

Bermuda qualified for their first ever major tournament recently by finishing in 5th place in this continent’s Nations League qualifying. The 5th place finish also secured Nations League action against the power house Mexicans and Panama later in the year.

But first the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the every two year tournament to determine the continental champion of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. 16 nations and the venues shared between the USA, Costa Rica and Jamaica and the draw was made today.

Bermuda were drawn as one of the lowest seeds in Group B alongside Costa Rica, Haiti and Nicaragua. The top two go through and whilst 38 FIFA ranked Costa Rica will be extremely tough, Haiti (ranked 100) who the Gombey Warriors play first of all will be a key game. A result against the Haitians, who did win all of their four qualifying games, is not beyond Bermuda. Then they meet Nicaragua (ranked 129) in the last Group game at the New York Red Bull’s stadium. Bermuda are ranked 175 in the world by FIFA.

In the other groups, favourites Mexico and Canada were paired in Group A with Cuba and Martinique, who as an overseas department of France, are not a member of FIFA and is therefore not eligible to enter the FIFA World Cup. Oh, I can see work being a problem!

In Group D holders USA were paired with Panama, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. In Group C the much fancied Honduras are with last time’s runner up Jamaica, El Salvador and the beautiful Dutch island of Curaçao.

It all kicks off on June 15th.