The USA (pictured) celebrates after defeating Panama in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup final at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Mexsport)
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – After Jamaica and Haiti have confirmed their presence Sunday in next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup by virtue of finishing first and second, respectively, in Group B at the Caribbean Cup finals, 11 of the 12 participants are now known.
The last coveted berth will be decided in a two-legged playoff between French Guiana and Honduras on dates yet to be determined.
Here’s a look at the qualifiers (number of previous appearances in parentheses):
NORTH AMERICA
Canada (11), automatic North American entrant
Mexico (12), automatic North American entrant
United States (12), automatic North American entrant
CENTRAL AMERICAN ZONE
Costa Rica (11), 2014 Central American Cup – champion
El Salvador (8), 2014 Central American Cup – fourth place
Guatemala (9), 2014 Central American Cup – runner-up
Panama (6), 2014 Central American Cup – third place
CARIBBEAN ZONE
Cuba (7), 2014 Caribbean Cup – Final Round, Group A runner-up
Jamaica (8), 2014 Caribbean Cup – Final Round, Group B winner
Haiti (5), 2014 Caribbean Cup – Final Round, Group B runner-up
Trinidad & Tobago (8), 2014 Caribbean Cup – Final Round, Group A winner
The Gold Cup has been contested on 12 previous occasions with Mexico winning a record six titles. The defending champion has lifted the trophy on five occasions, while Canada is the only nation to claim the biennial championship.
