Published 5 hours ago • loading... • Updated 1 hour ago
CONCACAF Changes the Gold Cup Format to 2 Groups of 8 Teams Starting in 2027
The new setup gives each of the 16 teams four group-stage matches and is meant to create earlier high-profile pairings, Concacaf said.
On Thursday, Concacaf announced a new format for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup, replacing the traditional four-group setup with two groups of eight teams.
Concacaf President Victor Montagliani said the organization wants to ensure fans see the best teams in the region compete, with the new structure forcing a balanced mix of opponents in the group stage.
Each of the 16 participating teams will play four games instead of three matches, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals through a ranking band system.
With the official draw scheduled for April 8, 2027, the tournament will kick off June 17 and conclude with the final on July 11. The field includes 15 Concacaf nations and invited guest Saudi Arabia.
Sharing similarities with the Swiss Model used by the UEFA Champions League, this format prioritizes high-profile early matchups. The United States has hosted every Gold Cup edition since 1991, though the tournament site remains unannounced.
The Concacaf eliminates the four traditional groups to implement an unpublished two-sector format and seeks to bring tournament matches to the Cuauhtémoc Stadium