Gold Cup Betting & Odds

The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the 18th edition of North America’s premier international tournament, kicks off on June 14 and runs until July 6, with the final to be held at NRG Stadium in Houston. Co-hosted by the United States and Canada, matches will unfold across 14 stadiums in 13 different cities, including five venues that will be used at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This tournament is viewed as a test run ahead of next year’s global spectacle.

A total of 16 teams will compete in the Gold Cup – 15 from CONCACAF, along with Saudi Arabia, who are special guests. The group stage spans from June 14 to 24, followed by the quarter-finals on June 28 and 29, the semi-finals on July 2, and the final on July 6.

With the defending champions, Mexico, aiming for an unprecedented tenth title and the powerhouse hosts, the U.S. and Canada, the latter fresh from World Cup qualification, eager to cement their progress, expectations are high all around. This should culminate in a fiercely competitive event.

The format remains consistent with previous editions of the Gold Cup:

• Group Stage: June 14-24
• Quarter-Finals: June 28-29
• Semi-Finals: July 2
• Final: July 6 at NRG Stadium, Houston

The tournament features a group stage comprising four groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. Extra time and penalties will be used in the event of a draw in the knockout rounds.

• Group A: Mexico, Costa Rica, Suriname, Dominican Republic
• Group B: Canada, Honduras, El Salvador, Curacao
• Group C: Panama, Jamaica, Guatemala, Guadeloupe
• Group D: United States, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s participation marks a significant milestone in Gold Cup history, as ties between CONCACAF and AFC have strengthened in recent years.

Group A

Group A, in some respects, is seen as one of the most competitive groups. It features Mexico, Costa Rica, Suriname, and the Dominican Republic, with Mexico the clear favourites as defending champions. Costa Rica sport an ageing squad, but they should have enough to battle it out with Mexico for top spot. Suriname and the Dominican Republic are improving, but they will likely fall short. Football betting online odds not only suggest Mexico will come through their opening match against the Dominican Republic with relative ease, but they’re firm favourites to go all the way once again.

Group B

In Group B, Canada are seen as the team to beat, primarily because of the quality they possess in the form of players like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David. However, with Davies absent through injury, Jesse Marsch will be looking for ways to get his team to adapt if they’re to challenge for the trophy. Honduras and El Salvador enter the tournament in inconsistent form, so they’re tough to gauge. Curacao continue to punch well above their weight, and their technical play style could make them one of the dark horses.

Group C

Group C is made up of Panama, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Guadeloupe. Panama, based on their showings at recent tournaments, will be seen as the major threat. If Jamaica bring their full European-based squad, they will have the quality to top the group and go further in the competition. Guatemala and Guadeloupe, while they will give it their all, are likely to struggle as they’re still short of the level that Panama and Jamaica are at in terms of quality and experience.

Group D

The United States, one of the co-hosts of the tournament, are heavy favourites to top Group D. They not only have a good quality of player, but manager Mauricio Pochettino is best in class too. The USA, as they are in their opening fixture against Trinidad and Tobago, will be firm favourites with Gold Cup betting markets to win, regardless of who they come up against. Alongside Trinidad and Tobago, the USA are joined by guest outfit Saudi Arabia, who will be aiming to finish second. Haiti make up the group and will need a strong start if they’re to make a push.

In tournaments such as the Gold Cup, while it’s important for teams to be cohesive and work as a unit, some players can make the difference for their respective nation.

Chris Richards (USA)

25-year-old Crystal Palace central defender Chris Richards is expected not only to be the defensive pillar in what is a young USA team, but he also looks set to lead the team as captain. Following a strong campaign in the Premier League and an excellent performance in the FA Cup final, where he was instrumental in Palace lifting the trophy, Mauricio Pochettino will expect Richards to continue delivering.

Santiago Gimenez (Mexico)

From a centre-back to a striker, Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez is seen by many as the likely Golden Boot winner at the tournament. The 24-year-old, who now plies his trade in Serie A with Milan, was prolific at former club Feyenoord. He’s starting to find his feet at the top level and will come into the Gold Cup ready to do the business in front of goal for the defending champions.

Jonathan David (Canada)

The Gold Cup for Jonathan David could be two-pronged. David is a prolific goal-getter at the top level, and he knows that if he delivers, Canada could go far. And they will need him to do just that, especially with Alphonso Davies absent through injury. But, David is soon to be a free agent after rejecting the chance to stay with current club, Lille of Ligue 1. So, this is a chance for the striker to put himself in the shop window in a big way.

While tournaments never go fully according to plan, they do usually stick to what’s expected in a big way. Sports betting markets suggest nations such as Mexico, the U.S., and Canada will do well, and they likely will. The players expected to come to the fore, if involved, will likely deliver as well.

However, there’s always a chance for teams and players to spring surprises. For example, Costa Rica have the know-how in Group A, and Jamaica, if they have their European-based players available, could rival and defeat most teams in the competition. So, it’s not a foregone conclusion that the winner will be one of the three most-fancied teams.

What’s interesting about the 2025 Gold Cup is that it feels more than just another regional tournament, especially this year. The U.S. and Canada are hosting, and they’re two of three nations set to host the World Cup next year. The tournament, while excellent in its own right, serves as a test run to ensure the 2026 World Cup is as good as it can be. It also means the Gold Cup is a proving ground for players who want to play in the World Cup next summer. Is there any place better to prove yourself than in a tournament hosted by the U.S. and Canada, who, alongside Mexico, will host the World Cup?