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The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) yesterday announced that the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica will host a 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader on Monday, June 17, 2019. This will mark the first time in the tournament’s history that matches are played in the Caribbean, in what is set to be a celebration of sport and culture in this dynamic region.
The expansion of the tournament to include first time hosts in the Central American and Caribbean territories comes as CONCACAF works to increase access to the game and develop football, while ensuring our fans experience the highest quality of football in the region.
“Bringing the CONCACAF Gold Cup to Jamaica is a watershed moment for our Confederation and Caribbean football,” said CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani. “Hosting our premier competition in Jamaica for the first time is an extraordinary opportunity to promote the very best of the game in the Caribbean, while raising standards and improving access to the sport across our Confederation.”
The matches in Jamaica, which will kick off Group C play, will feature the group top seeded team Honduras, as well as the host nation Jamaica. This summer’s Gold Cup will be the first to feature an expanded version, with 16 countries vying for continental glory in what is set to be the largest Gold Cup in history. The stage is set with the 16 national teams qualified, via the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal qualifier round and the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifiers.
“Today is a historic day for football in Jamaica, bringing the CONCACAF Gold Cup to our country will change the entire landscape of the game in this country,” said Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts. “The competition will inspire the growth of the sport and youngsters to play football. We are delighted at the prospects of hosting this CONCACAF Gold Cup.”
The 2019 Gold Cup will be the biggest-ever edition of the event, with more participating nations (16 up from 12 in 2017), more host countries (three, including first-time matches in Costa Rica and a yet-to-be-named Caribbean nation), and more stadiums (17 up from 14 in 2017, eight of which are in contention to become a 2026 FIFA World Cup venue).
