The 2025 Gold Cup draw has thrown up a fascinating early test for Mexico, pitting them against a Costa Rica side managed by their former coach, Miguel Herrera. Mexico finds itself in Group A alongside Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Suriname. This opening match, set for the SoFi Stadium, promises to be a highly anticipated clash, adding extra spice to the already exciting tournament.
The match-up between Mexico and Herrera’s Costa Rica is particularly intriguing, given Herrera’s history with El Tri. He previously led Mexico to victory in the 2015 Gold Cup, defeating Jamaica 3-1 in the final. Now, he aims to replicate that success with Costa Rica, creating a compelling narrative for this early-stage encounter. Mexico’s current manager, Javier Aguirre, also has a Gold Cup title under his belt, having won the tournament in 2009.
This Gold Cup holds significant importance for Mexico, serving as their final major tournament before the 2026 World Cup. The team will be keen to defend their title, won in 2023 with a 1-0 victory over Panama at the SoFi Stadium—the very same venue where they’ll kick off their 2025 campaign. Mexico boasts a remarkable record in the Gold Cup, having won the coveted trophy ten times, far surpassing the seven wins of the United States and the single victory of Canada.
The group stage also presents other compelling matchups. Group B features Canada, Honduras, El Salvador, and Curaçao, promising exciting clashes, particularly between regional rivals Honduras and El Salvador, and Canada and Honduras. Group C includes Panama, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Guadeloupe, setting the stage for intense battles, especially between Panama and Jamaica, and Panama and Guatemala, who will be led by Mexican coach Luis Fernando Tena. Finally, Group D features the United States, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, and Trinidad & Tobago, with the USA-Saudi Arabia match-up generating significant interest due to the global political dynamics between the two nations.
This year’s Gold Cup promises a thrilling spectacle, featuring star players like Raúl Jiménez, Santiago Giménez, Christian Pulisic, Adalberto Carrasquilla, and Alphonso Davies, and experienced coaches including Javier Aguirre, Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Fernando Tena, and Miguel Herrera, ensuring a high level of competition and rivalry throughout the tournament. The stage is set for a memorable Gold Cup, with Mexico’s journey beginning with a challenging but captivating match against their former coach’s team.
