MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Prelims will officially get underway on Friday, March 21, 2025, with an exciting lineup featuring fourteen teams competing for the final seven berths in the main event.
Fans can expect thrilling encounters as teams battle it out in home-and-away competitions, knowing that victors in each matchup will advance to the coveted Group Stage of the tournament.
A big matchup will see Belize face Costa Rica at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize. This marks the third-ever meeting between the two nations in Gold Cup qualifying matches, with Costa Rica previously winning all six matchups. Belize, known as the Jaguars, is hopeful about qualifying for the Gold Cup for only the second time in their history, having previously achieved a perfect record with four wins in Group B during the Nations League C play. Midfielder Jordy Polanco has been a standout contributor, netting four goals in six appearances during the 2024/25 Nations League campaign. Costa Rica, on the other hand, aims for its 17th Gold Cup appearance after finishing first in Group A of Nations League A but falling short against Panama in the quarterfinals. Key players to watch include Francisco Calvo, who scored two goals in the Nations League, and forward Manfred Ugalde with two assists under his belt.
Another thrilling clash takes place as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines host Jamaica at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hopes to make history by qualifying for the Gold Cup for the second time, having secured a respectable second place in Group A of League B with 12 points and a record of four wins, one draw, and one loss. Midfielder Diel Spring stands out with four goals, while Cornelius Stewart has tallied three assists. Jamaica, known as the Reggae Boyz, leads the all-time series with seven wins out of nine meetings between the teams and is aiming for its 14th Gold Cup qualification after topping Group B in League A while remaining undefeated.
The Reggae Boyz will rely on seasoned goalkeeper Andre Blake and celebrated attacking players Leon Bailey and Demarai Gray to guide them to victory.
Bermuda will host Honduras at the National Sports Centre in Devonshire, hoping to clinch a spot in the Gold Cup for a second time. Bermuda enters the Prelims after finishing second in Group D with 12 points from four wins and two losses, while Honduras, having finished second in Group B in League A, seeks its 17th Gold Cup appearance.
Guyana will clash with Guatemala at the BFA Technical Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados, in a rematch following their previous encounter in Nations League A. Although Guatemala leads the all-time series, having secured victory in their last meeting with a score of 3-1, Guyana comes into this match energized after overcoming Barbados 9-4 on aggregate to advance through the Play-In Round. Star players Omari Glasgow and Osaze De Rosario have each netted four goals for the Golden Warriors.
Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago meet on the same day at Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago, Cuba, in a rematch of their historical rivalry. Trinidad and Tobago have won 14 times against Cuba and previously held off the island nation in their recent League A meetings. Cuba secured its spot in the Prelims by defeating Saint Kitts and Nevis 5-2, hoping to reach the Gold Cup for the 11th time, while Trinidad and Tobago looks to secure a fourth consecutive qualification after finishing fourth in Group B of League A.
In another encounter, Suriname welcomes Martinique to Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo on March 21, with a focus on the teams' historical meeting ratio. The two teams have faced each other in League A but haven’t met while competing in the same group. Suriname hopes to build on its first Gold Cup appearance in 2021 with players like Virgil Misidjan leading the charge.
Finally, Guadeloupe will host Nicaragua at Stade Roger Zami in Le Gosier in what will be their second-ever meeting after Guadeloupe won their only previous encounter. Guadeloupe seeks a sixth participation in Gold Cup history, having shown promise by finishing fourth in Group A of League A, while Nicaragua aims to make its return to the competition after missing out since 2019.
The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Prelims promise to provide a platform for emerging talents and seasoned stars alike as these countries fight for their place on an international stage. Will Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines make history, or will traditional powerhouses like Costa Rica and Jamaica assert their long-standing dominance? Football fans won’t want to miss the action!
