CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani believes next year's Copa America will serve as perfect preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

Joining the 10 South American teams in the 2024 Copa America, which will be held in the United States, will be six teams from CONCACAF.

The USA, Mexico, Jamaica and Panama are already assured of their places in the tournament, with Costa Rica or Honduras and Canada or Trinidad and Tobago to take the remaining two spots.

With the expanded, 48-team World Cup in 2026 also taking place in North America, CONCACAF president Montagliani hopes the Copa America presents the perfect opportunity for the federation's teams to prepare.

"It's evidence of when leadership and two very important confederations come together and put football first. The game is going to win here because you're going to have a great tournament next year," Montagliani told Concacaf.com.

"I think we realised early on that we needed to make sure that we made our own competitions better, like our Nations League, our Gold Cup.

"This was an opportunity, after speaking with my counterpart, Alejandro Dominguez, to come together and partner with them, not just on the men's side like we have now with Copa America, but also on the women's side with a Women's Gold Cup.

"This fits in well with our strategy to increase not only the quantity of competitions, but also the quality of competitions, and this will help our teams prepare for the World Cup in our backyard.

"FIFA is also going to have the Club World Cup here in 2025 and I think from a fan's perspective, I'm not sure we've ever had this, so it's a great time to be involved in the game, at whatever level you are.

"I think it's a bit of a coming out party for our region. Obviously, we've struggled in the past at many levels, but I think, as I said a long time ago, for the work we've done in the last six years, we deserve the right to think long-term.

"We also now deserve the right to enjoy the present and all the football that is coming our way."

Reigning Copa and world champions Argentina were placed in Group A in Thursday's draw, alongside Peru, Chile and Canada or Trinidad and Tobago. The USA will face Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia in Group C, while Brazil will go up against Colombia, Paraguay and Costa Rica or Honduras in Group D.

Two CONCACAF teams should also fancy their chances of progressing from Group B, with Mexico and Jamaica – who count the likes of Leon Bailey, Michail Antonio and Demarai Gray in their squad – going up against Venezuela and Ecuador.

The draw opened up as such that another Argentina-Brazil final could be on the cards.

Jamaica’s senior Reggae Boyz Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson knows his team is in for a tough time given their draw for next year’s CONMEBOL Copa America but fancies their chances of beating the odds.

This, as their Group B opponents –Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador –are all familiar foes to some extent, and given the significant improvements in terms of the quality of players his Reggae Boyz squad now boats, Hallgrimsson believes the group is going to produce some very interesting matches.

Though this will be his first time leading the Reggae Boyz in the prestigious Copa America, the occasion marks the third time Jamaica will grace South American tournament, after appearances in 2015 when they faced Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, and 2016 when they opposed Venezuela, Mexico, and Uruguay.

“I didn't know much about Venezuela, but after thinking, it's tough teams really, all the three teams. If I can say something similar about them all, is that they are competitive, really hard working, and all of these nations play enthusiastic and tough tackling football. So, it's all tough, tough opponents, but I think it's quite an equal group,” Hallgrimsson said.

“So that means, I don't think any team will be a runaway winner with nine points in this group. I think all teams will have a chance against each other, so it is quite an equal group. There is not a team that anybody can take for granted, and I don’t think there is a team that will be a runaway winner,” he added.

While Jamaica has squared off against Mexico and Venezuela a number of times over the years, they have only faced Ecuador three times in 2009, 2011 and 2018, losing two of those games 2-5 and 0-2, while the other ended in a goalless stalemate.

“So, in that sense if we prepare well and get our points, we will always have a chance to progress from this group, but I think all the teams will think the same. So, that is my feeling and after looking at the opponents I feel a little bit better,” Hallgrimsson declared.

“I didn't know much about Venezuela, I knew a little bit about Ecuador, and of course, we know a lot about Mexico, but I think that everyone has a chance in these games. So, all teams can pick points from each other,” he noted.

Having produced a stunning comeback to better Canada in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal recently, Hallgrimsson pointed out that their preparations will be focused on maintaining that momentum in the semi-final against United States, before turning their focus to the Copa America in June.

“We had already made a plan what was going to happen. So, the early months of the year, in January, maybe half of February, we'll go in Jamaica for domestic players. Hopefully we will get a friendly against a Caribbean nation or maybe in United States. So, in January US-based players can also play these matches.

“But the plan was always to focus on the domestic based players in January and maybe beginning of February. Then from maybe mid-February, we have to think about the Nation's League semifinal against US. So, we turn our focus to that project and then of course after that we will have the draw for the World Cup (qualifying) games,” the Icelandic coach shared.

“So that will be complete focus on those games. So, we are kind of forced to turn our focus to the next project all the time and then after the World Cup (qualifying) games we we've turned our focus to the Copa America. So that is our plan, it's a full schedule and we have to be really focused on every project, because all of these matches are important,” he ended.

Jamaica will open their campaign against Mexico on June 22, Ecuador on June 26, before completing their Group Stage matches against Venezuela on June 30.

In other group pairings, the United States finds itself in Group C alongside Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia. Group D is set to witness a showdown between Costa Rica or Honduras against heavyweights Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay. Group A promises a tough challenge for Trinidad and Tobago or Canada, who will face off against World Cup champions Argentina, Peru, and Chile.

Despite failing to secure a spot in neither the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup group stage nor preliminary round, Jamaica's Reggae Girlz made somewhat of a mark in the final window of League A of the qualifying campaign, as Malikae Dayes and Davia Richards etched their names in the Best XI squad from the just-concluded window.

The two were just a few of the standout players for interim Head coach Xavier Gilbert in the failed campaign where they lost 1-2 and then drew 1-1 with Panama, and also registered 2-2 and 1-1 stalemates against Guatemala.

Dayes, 24, vein of form will boost her prospects at Danish club AaB Fodbold, while 19-year-old Richards will continue to hone her craft at Hill College, where she netted 23 goals, complemented by 12 assists, in the season. It is interesting to note that Richards placed her versatility on display by filling the left full-back position at times.

Here are the 11 players that stood out the most at their respective positions on the road to the inaugural Women's Gold Cup.

Goalkeeper

Alexia Estrada, Guatemala

Guatemala advanced to the Gold Cup Prelims with Estrada making five saves and four clearances in the 1-1 draw with Jamaica.

Defenders

Maria Elizondo, Costa Rica

Elizondo went the distance in both Costa Rica matches, making four clearances and helped keep a clean sheet against Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Davia Richards, Jamaica

Richards was tireless for the Reggae Girlz with a goal from four shots, while making a clearance in the back.

Araceli Torres, Mexico

Torres was very solid for Mexico in making a clearance in 95 minutes of action, helping her side qualify for the Women's Gold Cup group stage.

Cristina Ferral, Mexico

Ferral’s sensational strike earned Mexico a 1-0 win at Trinidad and Tobago, giving El Tricolor a perfect RTWGC campaign.

Midfielders

Gloriana Villalobos, Costa Rica

Villalobos had a goal in each game for Costa Rica, totaling six shots. Her biggest contribution was her playmaking, as she chipped in with four assists. 

Alexa Herrera, Costa Rica

Herrera scored a goal that will forever live in Costa Rican football lore, as she found the back of the net on the last kick of the game versus Haiti in the 2-1 win. She finished the window with three goals.

Malikae Dayes, Jamaica

Dayes was a workhorse in midfield for Jamaica in their two matches and had six clearances in the 1-1 draws with Panama and Guatemala.

Forwards 

Maria Paula Salas, Costa Rica

Salas set a Costa Rican Women’s National Team record with a seven-goal performance in the 19-0 victory over St Kitts and Nevis.

Kiana Palacios, Mexico

Palacios came off the bench and scored two goals to help Mexico secure a 3-0 win at Puerto Rico, qualifying her side for the Gold Cup group stage. 

Melissa Herrera, Costa Rica

No player created more scoring chances than Herrera, whose five assists led all players in all leagues during the window. She also had a goal.

The November-December window of the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifiers concluded recently, with the field for next year's inaugural Concacaf Women's Gold Cup completed.

During the window, eight teams qualified for the tournament, with Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica securing spots in the group stage, while Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Haiti, Guyana and Dominican Republic progressed to the Prelims. 

Here is the full list of teams currently qualified for the 2024 Women's Gold Cup.

Group Stage

United States -The four-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winners clinched their place in the Gold Cup when they defeated Canada 1-0 in the final of the 2022 Concacaf Women's Championship.

Canada -The 2020 Olympic Gold Medal winners punched their Gold Cup ticket after defeating Jamaica 4-1 on aggregate in the Concacaf Olympic Playoff.

Mexico -Mexico qualified to for the group stage as winners of Group A of League A in the qualifiers.

Panama -Panama qualified to the group stage as winners of Group B of League A.

Costa Rica -Costa Rica qualified to the group stage as winners of Group C of League A.

Brazil -Brazil are one of the four invited teams to the 2024 W Gold Cup. Brazil were winners of the 2022 Conmebol Copa America Femenina.

Colombia -Colombia another invitee were runners-up of the 2022 Conmebol Copa America Femenina.

Argentina -Argentina another invitee was the third-place finisher at the 2022 Conmebol Copa America Femenina.

Paraguay -Paraguay, by virtue of their fourth-place finish at the 2022 Conmebol Copa America Femenina, were also invited to the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Prelims

Puerto Rico-Puerto Rico were runners-up in Group A of League A.

Guatemala -Guatemala bettered Jamaica to place second behind Panama in Group B of League A.

Haiti -Haiti placed second in Group C of League A.

Guyana -Guyana finished tops in Group A of League B.

El Salvador -El Salvador topped Group B of League B.

Dominican Republic -Dominican Republic topped Group C of League B.

Trinidad and Tobago missed out on a spot in next year's Concacaf Women's Gold preliminary stage, as they went down 0-1 to Mexico in their final Group A fixture in League A of the Gold Cup qualifiers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Tuesday night.

Needing a win to secure second position in the group, the Soca Ladies fought gallantly, but couldn't take what would have been a famous three points off the Mexicans, who had the all-important strike through Cristina Ferral.

With the win, Mexico topped the group with maximum 12 points from four games and join Costa Rica, Panama, United States and Canada, among others in the Group stages of the inaugural Women's Gold Cup. Puerto Rico, with four points, secured a berth in the preliminary stage, while Trinidad and Tobago end with a solitary point in the three-team group.

Despite an expected dominant first half display, Mexico had to wait until the latter stages of the half to break the deadlock, and they did so in style. 

Ferral collected a ball out outside the area and smashed a right-footed strike into the top right corner in the 40th minute.

The visitors tried desperately to add to their lead in the second stanza but found Trinidad and Tobago's defenders and goalkeeper Simone Eligon in a defiant mode.

In fact, Eligon produced a diving save to deny Jacqueline Ovalle's 63rd-minute effort, and she again came up big with another series of saves in the final quarter-hour to keep her side in it.

But her efforts were in vain as the twin island failed to get on target, and, as such, Mexico snared all three points.

The final window of the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifiers begins on Wednesday, as the race for spots to the 2024 Women's Gold Cup intensifies.

League A

By the end of the window next Tuesday, December 5, three teams will know if they have qualified for the Women's Gold Cup group stage and another six teams will be slotted for the Women's Gold Cup Prelims.

Mexico will get their first crack at winning Group A of League A on Friday at Puerto Rico with El Tricolor holding a two-point edge on the Boricuas. If Puerto Rico and Mexico draw, Mexico win the group and Puerto Rico would seal their place in the Prelims, as they currently sit three points ahead of Trinidad and Tobago, who close the window against Mexico on December 5.

Panama can win Group B in a Wednesday visit to Jamaica, as the Canaleras own a two-point advantage on Guatemala. However, should Panama drop points, it could open the way for Guatemala or Jamaica on Sunday to win the group. A Jamaica win against Panama could set the stage for a dramatic final matchday on Sunday, with all three teams alive for a first-place finish.

Haiti only require a draw at Costa Rica to clinch Group C of League A on Thursday. However, a Ticas win could make for an interesting final matchday in the group next Monday. Costa Rica host St Kitts and Nevis, but would need to win by a wide margin, with Haiti currently at plus-25 goal difference.

League B

The winners of the three League B groups will advance to the Women's Gold Cup Prelims versus the second-place group finishers from League A.

Guyana can win Group A of League B with victory over Dominica on Wednesday, provided Suriname drop points at Antigua and Barbuda. Should Guyana and Suriname win their first matches of the window, Guyana can clinch the group win and a Prelims spot with a draw in their final fixture against Antigua and Barbuda.

El Salvador have already punched their Prelims ticket as winners of Group B of League B, but in Group C, Bermuda and Dominican Republic are in a dogfight, with the former slightly ahead by a point.

On Friday, Bermuda host St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Dominican Republic head to Barbados. Should those two sides win, a final matchday clash between the Dominican Republic and Bermuda in Santo Domingo, would be a winner-take-all affair.

League C

A group win is there for the taking for three teams in League C. With a six-point cushion, Belize can win Group A with a draw at Bonaire on Thursday.

Cuba can clinch Group B should St Lucia fail to beat Guadeloupe on Friday. However, a St Lucia win, would set up a final day contest, with Cuba only needing a draw to win the group.

Grenada have already emerged as winners of Group C, but Curacao still have work to do in Group D. They have a two-point lead over Anguilla and face Anguilla on Thursday. A draw would be enough to win the group for Curacao.

The November window of League A of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League is now complete and even though many players delivered top performances over the course of the matches, only these 11 players stood out the most at their respective positions.

Goalkeeper

Andre Blake, Jamaica

Blake was superb in both legs against Canada, making four clearances and eight saves, including two reaction stops from point-blank range early in the first half in the second leg.

Defenders 

Alvin Jones, Trinidad and Tobago

Jones has a habit of being a thorn in the side of United States, and he did it again in the 2-1 second leg win for the Soca Warriors with a sensational free kick goal and an assist. He also had four steals and 10 clearances in the two games.

Antonee Robinson, United States

Robinson played a big role in United States success with a goal and an assist in the 3-0 first leg win, and then the lone United States goal in the second leg. He also had four steals.

Michael Murillo, Panama

Murillo was the one to get things rolling for Panama, scoring their opening goal in the first leg. He finished the two-legged series with two steals and a clearance.

Midfielders

Edson Alvarez, Mexico

Alvarez scored a goal that Mexico fans will never forget, finding the back of the net in the final seconds of the second leg to bring Mexico level with Honduras 2-2 on aggregate. He also made two clearances and had a steal.

Adalberto Carrasquilla, Panama

Carrasquilla was masterful yet again for Panama in the midfield with a pair of assists while completing almost 90 percent of his passes.

Luis Chavez, Mexico

Chavez has become Mexico’s free-kick specialist and he scored again from a dead ball in what was Mexico’s first goal in their series with Honduras. He completed an astounding 91 percent of his passes.

Gio Reyna, United States

Reyna scored one of the three U.S. goals in the first leg against Trinidad and Tobago and then also had a steal in 140 minutes of action.

Forwards 

Luis Palma, Honduras

Palma set the table for the opening goal for Honduras in their 2-0 first leg win versus Mexico and also collected two steals in addition to his assist.

Jose Fajardo, Panama

Fajardo scored in each game for Panama against Costa Rica, giving him goals in three straight games against the Ticos.

Shamar Nicholson, Jamaica

Nicholson scored three of Jamaica’s four goals against Canada and completed more than 95 percent of his passes. He now has a whopping nine career CNL goals.

As the excitement continues to build towards Thursday's start to this decisive window in the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League, the other pair of League A quarter-final fixtures are also expected to serve up a treat, as Jamaica host Canada and Honduras welcome Mexico for their respective first leg matches on Friday.

All four sides are aiming to advance to the Concacaf Nations League final in March, as well as secure qualification to next year's CONMEBOL Copa America.

Jamaica vs. Canada

Friday's action kicks off with Jamaica and Canada renewing their rivalry at the National Stadium.

On the line is Jamaica’s unbeaten streak in Concacaf Nations League play, as they have amassed nine wins and five draws in 14 all-time Nations League games, including three wins and a draw in Group B on their way to the quarterfinals.

In 22 all-time matches between the two, the Canadians have won 10 and Jamaica six, with the other six fixtures ending as stalemates. However, Jamaica currently boasts and immensely talented group to improve their record, provided they execute accordingly.

Demarai Gray was sensational in the group stage, as he tallied three goals, while Shamar Nicholson continued his rich form in Nations League action with two goals. He also moved his all-time Nations League assists mark to six.

Bobby Reid, another player capable of producing the spectacular, supplied two goals and an assist. He was also present defensively in terms of his eight ball recoveries.

Canada, who is one of the teams to receive a bye to this phase of the tournament due to their FIFA rankings, enters the fray after finishing as runners-up in last year's edition.

They will be keen to make a return trip to the finals, but they will also be mindful of the fact that their previous match-up in Kingston ended in a goalless stalemate in October 2021, during Concacaf World Cup Qualifying, and also of the fact that Jamaica's squad has been significantly boosted since then.

Still, many of the players who led Canada to their second ever FIFA World Cup qualification, are back in the fold for this two-way series, including star striker Jonathan David, winger Junior Hoilett and flying left back Alphonso Davies.

David and Davies are tied for the most Nations League goals for Canada with five each, while Davies has 14 goals in 42 total appearances with Canada. Hoilett delivered top performances for Canada during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, scoring a goal and chipping in two assists.

That said, it is anybody's guess which way this first-leg engagement between two talented teams will go, if not again ending in a stalemate.

Honduras vs. Mexico

Long-time rivals Honduras and Mexico square off at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa.

This will mark the 44^th encounter between the two nations, with Mexico accounting for 26 wins and Honduras seven, with the others 10 ending in stalemates. Mexico also outscored the opponents 81-29 in those games.

Honduras secured their quarterfinals berth by virtue of a second-place finish in Group B. After opening with a 0-1 loss to Jamaica, Honduras rallied to earn seven points from their final three matches.

Edwin Rodriguez was a force to be reckoned with in the group stage. He scored two goals and contributed two assists. 

Luis Palma was an attacking threat as well with a goal and two assists.

Deybi Flores has for years been a workhorse in the Honduras midfield, and the four matches in Group B were no exception. He completed 241 of 273 passes and made four ball recoveries.

Many of the players who helped Mexico win the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup will lead El Tricolor into the opening 90 minutes in Tegucigalpa. Those include goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who won the Gold Cup Golden Glove Award for the four clean sheets he recorded during the tournament.

Striker Santiago Gimenez, the hero of the final for his late goal to defeat Panama 1-0, is also back in the ranks, as is ever-dangerous free-kick specialist Luis Chavez, who scored two goals in the Gold Cup and led the team in shots with 18.

The last time Honduras faced Mexico was in the Gold Cup when the latter registered a comfortable 4-0 victory.

By all indications, Mexico are heavily favoured to secure three points.

The 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League resumes this week with this being a decisive window for teams in all three leagues.

League A

The stage is set for the eight quarterfinalists in League A to take the final step to qualifying for the Concacaf Nations League showpiece and, by extension, next year's CONMEBOL Copa America.

The first legs of the four two-legged quarterfinals kicks off on Thursday with the United States hosting Trinidad and Tobago at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, followed by Costa Rica welcoming in fellow Central American rival Panama at the Estadio Saprissa in San Jose.

A day later on Friday, it will be Jamaica and Canada crossing swords at the National Stadium in Kingston, while Honduras host Mexico at the Estadio Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa.

No doubt that all the teams will be aiming for a strong performance ahead of the return legs the following Monday and Tuesday.

League B

The battle for promotion in League B will be hot and heavy across all four groups with so many decisive matches to be played. By the end of the weekend, it will be known which team has won Group A to capture promotion to League A.

St Lucia and Guadeloupe are tied on nine points, with the latter just ahead by a one goal difference. St Lucia are at St Kitts and Nevis on Thursday, and then home versus St Maarten on Sunday, while Guadeloupe travel to St Maarten on Thursday, and then host St Kitts and Nevis on Sunday.

In Group B, Nicaragua holds the advantage heading into the final window, as they sit three points in front of the Dominican Republic. If Dominican Republic drop points on Wednesday at Montserrat and Nicaragua win at Barbados on Friday, Nicaragua clinches promotion.

It is a three-horse race in Group C, with French Guiana (seven points) a nose in front of St Vincent and the Grenadines (six points) and Bermuda (five points). Bermuda host Vincy Heat on Friday to kick things off in a must-win match-up, while French Guiana will look to consolidate their lead atop the table ahead of the final matchday, with a full three points at Belize.

Things are more straightforward in Group D, as Guyana sit on a six-point lead going into their final two matches. The Golden Jaguars only require a point in their Saturday visit to Bahamas to secure promotion to League A.

League C

League C also reaches its climax, and Thursday could be a momentous day for British Virgin Islands, who can clinch promotion to League B if they defeat Dominica at home in Group C.

It is a similar story in Group B, as promotion is there for the taking for Aruba, who can nail down their rise to League B with victory at US Virgin Islands on Thursday.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Bonaire can keep themselves in the mix in Group A with a win at Anguilla. Bonaire are currently six points behind leaders St Martin. But if Anguilla earn a result on home soil, the group and promotion will belong to St Martin.

Live action of the Concacaf Nations League will be on SportsMax, SportsMax 2 and the SportsMax app.

World number five Jessica Pegula defeated Greece’s Maria Sakkari in straight sets 6-3 6-2 in the WTA Finals, continuing her unbeaten run through the group stages.

Pegula had already secured her spot in Saturday’s semi-finals by beating both Sabalenka and Rybakina in her earlier matches in Mexico.

But the American is yet to drop a set so far this tournament and it took her just under 80 minutes to beat Sakkari, who failed to qualify for the semi-finals after losing all of her games.

Meanwhile, fighting for a spot in the semi-finals, world number one Aryna Sabalenka and world number four Elena Rybakina had their match suspended due to wet weather.

Sabalenka won the first set 6-2 in the Australian Open final rematch on a rain interrupted evening and had Rybakina on the ropes early in the second set.

But Rybakina fought back to take the lead 5-3 before the match was called off for the night, with play to resume on Friday.

Also on Friday, Iga Swiatek will take on Ons Jabeur while Coco Gauff plays Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova to decide who makes the semi-finals.

Max Verstappen has beefed up his personal security as he prepares for a hostile reception at Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez’s home race in Mexico.

Verstappen was jeered by Perez’s supporters at last weekend’s podium presentation in Austin as the triple world champion celebrated his 15th win of the season.

Chants of “Checo, Checo” – in support of Perez – were also audible during the Dutch national anthem.

A crowd of nearly 400,000 are expected at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez over the course of the weekend, with practice starting on Friday and it is understood Verstappen will be flanked by multiple security guards in the paddock.

Perez’s fans are unhappy Verstappen did not help the Mexican secure second place in last season’s championship after he ignored a team order at the penultimate round in Brazil.

Perez has won only twice this season – his last victory in Azerbaijan on April 30 – with Verstappen racing to his third title in as many years.

The paddock in Mexico City has become one of the most manic on the calendar, with drivers mobbed as they make their way from the motorhome to the garage.

And Perez is also expected to have a bigger entourage than normal to cover-off his enthusiastic fanbase.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and the team’s motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko will also be accompanied by security guards.

Speaking after last weekend’s race in Austin, Horner said: “I don’t think Max is going to get the warmest reception in Mexico, but that is water off a duck’s back to him.

“One year you are the villain and the next year you are the hero.”

Perez heads into this weekend’s round 206 points behind Verstappen. However, he is 39 points clear of third-placed Lewis Hamilton, who was disqualified from second at the Circuit of the Americas for running an illegal floor on his Mercedes.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Victoria Swift says the team’s build-up to their Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup qualifier against Puerto Rico has been intense and purposeful, as they target a positive result on Friday.

With this being the first on home soil for the senior women’s team since April last year, Swift is eagerly anticipating the encounter which represents an opportunity to put points on the board, following a 0-6 loss to Mexico last month.

The experienced defender is one a few veterans expected to be named in Head coach Richard Hood’s side which is set to be announced on Wednesday.

Kick off for Friday’s game is 7:00pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

“Preparations have been very intense since we got back from playing Mexico. Thus far I’m extremely proud of the players for all their efforts in each and every session,” Swift told TTFA Media.

“Words can’t explain how excited I am to be playing in Port of Spain before the home fans. This is going to give us the opportunity to bring back joy and passion of women’s football to Trinidad and Tobago. I know there are a lot of players hungry to get opportunities and do well in women’s football here and a positive showing by us can only boost the local women’s game,” she added.

Swift knows the importance of seeing Trinidad and Tobago advance to the next Women’s Gold Cup, especially as they harbour hopes of possibly making the cut for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.

“Getting a positive result on Friday is of utmost importance. This would keep our dream alive of qualifying for the first ever Women’s Gold Cup. It’s an opportunity to create history.

“A lot of the focus has been on how we want to play as a unit. We plan to go out there as a team and play with heart and soul… laying it all on the line,” Swift shared.

Following Friday’s match, the Soca ladies will travel to play Puerto Rico on October 31st.

The Road to the Women’s Gold Cup involves 34 participating teams split into the three leagues – League A, League B and League C.

Trinidad and Tobago are in League A which has the nine top-ranked teams divided into three groups of three. League B consist of 12 teams split into three groups of four teams, while League C has 13 teams in total. In League C, Group A will have three teams, while Group B, Group C and Group D will have three teams each.

In all three leagues, the teams will play each other home and away.

The three group winners from League A will qualify for the 2024 Women’s Gold Cup, while the three second-placed teams from League A, will advance to the playoffs, which will include the three group winners from League B. The League A second-placed teams will play a single-leg playoff match against the League B group winners to determine the final three places in the Gold Cup.

Luis Mejía Oviedo of the Dominican Republic was re-elected President of Centro Caribe Sports for the period 2023-2027, during the Ordinary General Assembly of the sports organization, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Santiago, Chile on Monday.

Mejía, who was unopposed for the position was given a standing ovation which served as approval for him to continue at the helm of the organization, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024.

Centro Caribe Sports celebrated the 24th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador last June, and made its debut with beach sports, courtesy of the first Central American and Caribbean Beach Games in Santa Marta in November 2022.

Oviedo will be shadowed by Cuba’s Roberto Richards, Jamaica’s Christopher Samuda and María José Soto Gil of Venezuela in the three vice-president slots.

Samuda, said his accepting a vice-president role is aimed at ensuring the regional sporting body, and, by extension, the CAC Games, maintains or even enhances their prominence.
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) president earned 33 votes to the six earned by his challenger Mario Alphonso Garcia de la Torre, the Secretary General of the Mexican Olympic Committee.

“I accept the second vice-presidency for Centro Caribe Sports not in a personal capacity, but in a representative role as a citizen of Jamaica, a regionalist of the Caribbean and a member of the Centro Caribe Sports family. The CAC Games is our primary asset and must be made to be an equal partner in sport development and excellence.

“For me, it will be business extraordinaire as we at Centro Caribe Sports continue to build the reputational, capital and cultural value and the currency of the apex body which is the owner and host of the oldest multi-sport regional games, the Central American and Caribbean Games,” Samuda, who is currently in Chile for the Pan-American (PanAm) Games, told SportsMax.TV.

“For me, it will be business extraordinaire in repurposing, repositioning the CAC Games as a leading model and a commercial sporting concern. It is about building an ethos that inspires the confidence of coaches and athletes and their support for the games as a calendar event. It will be business extraordinaire in just simply governing right in providing leadership as an example in the sporting fraternity,” he added.

Other sports leaders from the region that make up the new Executive Committee, includes, Colombia’s Ciro Solano Hurtado, Treasurer; Sara Rosario of Puerto Rico, Secretary General; Haiti’s Hans Larsen, First Vocal; Angel Morales of the US Virgin Islands, Second Vocal and Cyril Cameron Burke of Barbados, Third Vocal.

Felipe Vicini of the Dominican Republic will serve as a representative of the Organizing Committee for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo in 2026.

The two vacant vocal positions will be elected in a virtual Extraordinary Assembly on a date to be confirmed in accordance with the statutes of Centro Caribe Sports, and as confirmed by the Legal Commission chaired by Samuda.

During the Ordinary General Assembly, the reports of the Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023 and Santo Domingo 2026, were presented, as well as the presentation and approval for the second edition of the Central American and Caribbean Beach Games to be held in 2025 in Costa Rica.

President Mejía Oviedo confirmed that each member of the Executive Committee will chair a working commission, which were established during the first period of his leadership.

Judy Simons, former President of the Bermuda National Olympic Committee, announced her retirement from the Executive Committee and was recognised by Centro Caribe Sports with a plaque for her sterling contribution to the regional body and sport in the region.

Concacaf has confirmed the pairings for the 23/24 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. The four home-and-away series, scheduled for the FIFA Match Window of November 2023, will determine the four teams advancing to the Concacaf Nations League final, scheduled for March 2024, and the first four Concacaf teams that will qualify for next year's CONMEBOL Copa America to be staged in United States.

After the completion of group stage play for League A, which took place in September and October, the two top teams from each group: Panama and Trinidad and Tobago (Group A) and Jamaica and Honduras (Group B), advanced to the quarterfinals, joining the four top-ranked League A nations (based on the Concacaf Rankings of March 2023) that received a bye: Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the United States.

The four Quarterfinal pairings are as follows: 

QF1: Costa Rica (4) vs Panama (best group winner)
QF2: Canada (3) vs Jamaica (next best group winner)
QF3: United States (2) vs Trinidad and Tobago (best runner-up)
QF4: Mexico (1) vs Honduras (next best runner-up)

After the matches played in the September and October FIFA Match Windows, the CNL League A Group Stage standing are as follows:

Group A
1. Panama (10 pts, +7 gd) – advances to Quarterfinals
2. Trinidad and Tobago (9 pts, +1 gd) – advances to Quarterfinals
3. Martinique (7 pts, -1 gd)
4. Guatemala (4 pts, -2 gd)
5. Curacao (3 pts, -1 gd) – relegated to League B
6. El Salvador (1 pts, -4 gd) – relegated to League B

Group B
1. Jamaica (10 pts, +5 gd) – advances to Quarterfinals
2. Honduras (7 pts, +7 gd) – advances to Quarterfinals
3. Suriname (5 pts, +3 gd)
4. Cuba (5 pts, -3 gd)
5. Haiti (3 pts, -1 gd) – relegated to League B
6. Grenada (1 pts, -11 gd) – relegated to League B


The schedule for the quarterfinals is as follows, with the home team for each match listed first. As per the competition regulations, the four pre-seeded federations, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and United States, had the opportunity to decide whether they would play at home or away first.

Thursday, November 16, 2023
United States vs Trinidad and Tobago
Costa Rica vs Panama

Friday, November 17, 2023
Jamaica vs Canada
Honduras vs Mexico

Monday, November 20, 2023
Trinidad and Tobago vs United States
Panama vs Costa Rica

Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Canada vs Jamaica
Mexico vs Honduras

After home-and-away play, the aggregate score winner in each pairing will advance to both the 23/24 Concacaf Nations League final and the CONMEBOL Copa America. The four losing quarterfinalists will still have an opportunity to qualify for next summer’s Copa America via a single-match direct elimination Play-In, where they will play for the two remaining slots for Concacaf nations. This Play-In will also take place in March 2024. 

23/24 Concacaf Nations League Finals

The third edition of the Concacaf Nations League final is scheduled to take place in March 2024. The final four, between League A's quarterfinal winners, includes semifinals, to be played on Thursday, March 21, 2024, followed by a third-place match and final on Sunday, March 24. 

To determine the semifinal pairings, the four participating nations will be ranked 1-4, according to their performance in the quarterfinals (points, and if required, goal difference), with the highest-ranked team facing the lowest-ranked team (1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3).

More details on the 23/24 Concacaf Nations League Finals and the Concacaf Copa America Play-In will be announced in due course.

Six goals in the first half propelled Mexico to a commanding 6-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago in Group A of League A of the Road to the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup on Tuesday night at the Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico.

With the win, Mexico now sits in first place in the group with six points through two matches, while Trinidad and Tobago remain on zero points after one game.

Mexico wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, as Maria Sanchez scored for the second game in a row by stabbing home a cross from Scarlett Camberos before the three-minute mark for a 1-0 lead.

Greta Espinoza quickly doubled the advantage to 2-0 in the 10th when Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Kimika Forbes spilled a long-range shot, allowing Espinoza to stroke home the rebound.

Mexico then made it 3-0 in the 19th with a sparkling goal in transition that saw Alicia Cervantes polish off the counterattack with a right-footed laser into net.

A long-distance effort from Alexia Delgado that rolled off the fingertips of Forbes and into goal extended it to 4-0 in the 25th, followed by Charlyn Corral turning in a blocked shot in the 39th for a 5-0 lead.

Corral was instrumental again in the 42nd, sending in a cross that allowed that was tapped home by Cervantes to stretch it to 6-0.

With the six-goal advantage, Mexico could play to their liking and patiently wait to carve out any further scoring chances. However, the Trinidad and Tobago defence held firm in the second 45, leading to the 6-0 final.