MIAMI, Florida – On Monday, September 28, Concacaf will conduct the Draw for the 2021 Gold Cup in which 16 teams will look to win Concacaf’s most prestigious national team tournament.
This year, the Gold Cup will include three teams that have qualified from a 12-team field from the 2021 Gold Cup Prelims, which will also be drawn on Monday.
Six seeded nations will be drawn against six different teams from Pot 1 as part of the Gold Cup Prelims Draw.
Here is a breakdown of the seeded teams.
Haiti – Haiti grabbed the attention of everyone around the Concacaf region at the 2019 Gold Cup when they made a spirited run to the semifinals before narrowly falling to Mexico 1-0 in extra time. Les Grenadiers assumed the role of comeback kings in the tournament, as three of the four wins were a result of second half comeback, including a scintillating 3-2 win over Canada in the quarterfinals after trailing 2-0 at halftime. Haiti barely missed out on automatic qualification for the 2021 Gold Cup after finishing third in Group D of League A of the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League, and there is no doubt the Caribbean nation will be out to prove that 2019 was no fluke by qualifying for their eighth Gold Cup.
Guatemala – Guatemala will be looking to return to the final Gold Cup field for the first time since 2015 after roaring through Group C of League C of the 2019-20 CNL with a 4W-0D-0L record, while outscoring opponents 25-0. Under Head Coach Amarini Villatoro, the Chapines are brimming with belief and qualification for an 11th Gold Cup would be another big step forward. Guatemala’s best Gold Cup finish was fourth place in 1996.
Trinidad and Tobago – Trinidad and Tobago are no strangers to Gold Cup competition and the Soca Warriors would like nothing more than to punch their ticket to an 11th Gold Cup. Among Caribbean nations, only Jamaica (12) have more Gold Cup appearances than Trinidad and Tobago. The islanders battled to a third-place finish in Group C of League A of the 2019-20 CNL to miss out on automatic qualification, but their pedigree in Concacaf competition, including an all-time best semifinal finish in 2000, should make them strong contenders to reach the final 16-team field.
Cuba – Cuba have their sights set on a 10th Gold Cup appearance after having qualified for four of the previous five tournaments, including quarterfinal finishes in 2013 and 2015. While their 2019 Gold Cup and CNL campaign in League A did not meet their expectations, there is talent from which Cuba can call on to try to make their way into Concacaf’s elite, including the steady leadership of veteran midfielder Arichel Hernandez.
Guadeloupe – Guadeloupe are a team to not be taken lightly, even though they have not featured in a Gold Cup since 2011 and have just three total Gold Cup appearances. Les Gwada Boys were a force in the 2019-20 CNL, as they topped Group D of League C, while outscoring opponents 20-2. There is also plenty of positive history when it comes to Guadeloupe and the Gold Cup. The Caribbean side qualified for three straight tournaments from 2007 to 2011 and reached the semifinals in their debut in 2007. Now, a new generation of Guadeloupe players will be looking to make their own history.
Bermuda – Bermuda got their first taste of the Gold Cup at the 2019 tournament and will be looking to make a return appearance in 2021. The Gombey Warriors acquitted themselves well in the 2019 edition by earning their first ever Gold Cup win in a 2-0 final over Nicaragua. Bermuda were just as tough in the 2019-20 CNL in League A against Mexico and Panama, winning 2-0 at Panama and then going toe-to-toe with Mexico in Mexico City before narrowly losing, 2-1.