The Cuscatlecos debuted in 1996 with a 3-2 win over Trinidad and Tobago and will be playing their 10th Gold Cup. They were absent from the 2000 and 2005 editions but have appeared in every edition since 2007. In five appearances, El Salvador has managed to advance to the quarterfinals; the last time was in 2017 when it lost to eventual champions United States 0-2 on goals from Omar Gonzalez (41’) and Eric Lichaj (45’).

El Salvador struggled to qualify for the Gold Cup. It came down to a deciding match in week 4 of Concacaf Nations League Qualifying at home versus Jamaica that ended with a 2-0 win at the Cuscatlan Stadium. Nelson Bonilla opened the scoring in the 49th minute and a Damion Lowe own goal in the 85th minute sealed the Gold Cup berth.

Rodolfo Zelaya with nine goals is El Salvador’s all-time leading scorer in the Gold Cup.

Record: GP-32 W-8 D-7 L-17 GF-28 GA-55