Camberos, Ramos, Contreras headline U-20 Championship Best XI
The U-20 Championship Best XI features the tournament’s Best Player Hugo Camberos and Best Goalkeeper Cristo Navarrete, among other standouts.
MIAMI – The 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship concluded with Mexico defeating the United States in the Final to claim a record 15th title.
Several players delivered standout individual performances throughout the tournament, yet these 11 players stood out among their peers in their respective positions.
Goalkeeper
Cristo Navarrete, Mexico – The goalkeeper starred from start to finish to help Mexico claim the title. Navarrete conceded one goal in his three appearances and ultimately won the Golden Glove as the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper.
Defenders
Yerlan Sosa, Costa Rica – Sosa was a key contributor for his team as Costa Rica reached the Semifinals and qualified for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027. In all, the right-back made the right flank his own, contributing two goals, nine interceptions, and seven tackles throughout the U-20 Championship.
Cristóbal Alfaro, Mexico – The center back played a pivotal role for Mexico in the last two matches of the U-20 Championship. Alfaro scored an important equalizer en route to the 2-1 comeback win over Canada in the Semifinals, prior to netting both goals in the 2-0 victory against USA in the Final.
Christopher Cupps, United States – Cupps led the backline for USA as the team finished runners-up for a second consecutive edition. The center back placed second overall in Opta points with an 8.93 average rating and led the tournament-in successful passes with 525.
Edwin Soto, Mexico – Soto starred at right back for the back-to-back U-20 Championship winners, contributing on both ends of the field and concluding the campaign with an assist, 168 successful passes, five tackles, and five interceptions.
Midfielders
Henrique Simeone, Mexico – The deep-lying midfielder excelled in his defensive role, anchoring the team’s midfield unit and finishing with a tournament-high 16 tackles.
Liam Mackenzie, Canada – Mackenzie was key for Canada, helping the team reach the Semifinals. The midfielder made his influence felt in attack, scoring three goals - including a key brace against Jamaica in the Quarterfinals - and totaling 23 crosses.
Miguel Joseph, Haiti – Joseph delivered well-rounded performances for Haiti at the U-20 Championship. The midfielder registered a goal, 241 successful passes, eight tackles, and eight interceptions, and averaged an 8.20 Opta rating.
Forwards
Hugo Camberos, Mexico – The leading man for El Tricolor in attack, Camberos starred from start to finish to help Mexico lift the cup. The attacker concluded with a tournament-high five goals, ranked first overall in Opta points, and ultimately earned Best Player of the U-20 Championship honors.
Rubén Ramos, United States – Ramos was a key player for the Stars and Stripes throughout the campaign. In all, he was directly involved in five goals, scoring four goals and dishing out one assist.
Jaidyn Contreras, United States – Contreras was also one of the protagonists for the USA on the attacking front, with the attacker wrapping up his participation with a tournament-high 31 crosses while also being the joint-assist leader of the U-20 Championship with three assists.
