History of CONCACAF Gold Cup in Timeline

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is a biennial association football tournament organized by CONCACAF, featuring men's national teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Established in 1991, it succeeded the CONCACAF Championship (1963-1989) as the region's premier international competition. It determines the continental champion and often serves as a qualifier for other international tournaments. The Gold Cup showcases the highest level of football within the CONCACAF region.

1938: Founding of CCCF

In 1938, the Confederación Centroamericana y del Caribe de Fútbol (CCCF) was founded, consisting of Central America and most of the Caribbean.

1941: Start of CCCF Championships

In 1941, the CCCF held its first championship. This marked the beginning of a series of ten championships held by the CCCF from 1941 to 1961.

1946: Founding of NAFC

In 1946, the North American Football Confederation (NAFC) was founded, consisting of the North American nations of the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Cuba.

1947: NAFC Championship

In 1947, the NAFC held one of its four championships. These championships occurred in 1947 and 1949 before a long absence.

1949: NAFC Championship

In 1949, the NAFC held one of its four championships. These championships occurred in 1947 and 1949 before a long absence.

1961: CONCACAF Founded

In 1961, CONCACAF was founded through the merging of NAFC and CCCF to form a single championship for the continent.

1961: Formation of CONCACAF

In 1961, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) was formed through the merging of NAFC and CCCF.

1963: First CONCACAF Tournament

In 1963, the first CONCACAF tournament was held in El Salvador, with Costa Rica becoming the first champion.

1965: Mexico wins CONCACAF Campeonato de Naciones

In 1965, Mexico defeated the host country Guatemala in the final of the six-team tournament held in Guatemala.

1967: Guatemala wins CONCACAF Campeonato de Naciones

In 1967, the competition was held in Honduras, and Guatemala was crowned champion, marking the third champion crowned in the tournament's history.

1969: Costa Rica Wins CONCACAF Championship

In 1969, Costa Rica won their second title as hosts, defeating Guatemala in the competition.

1973: Haiti wins CONCACAF Championship

In 1973, Haiti won the tournament held in Port-au-Prince, securing a spot in the FIFA World Cup in 1974.

1974: FIFA World Cup

In 1974, Haiti's win at the CONCACAF Championship in 1973 allowed them to gain a spot in the FIFA World Cup in West Germany.

1977: Mexico Wins CONCACAF Championship and Qualifies for World Cup

In 1977, Mexico was crowned champion of the CONCACAF Championship and earned a spot in the World Cup, with the tournament being held in Mexico City.

1981: Honduras Wins CONCACAF Championship and Qualifies for World Cup

In 1981, Honduras was crowned champion of the CONCACAF Championship and earned a spot in the World Cup, with the tournament being held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

1985: Canada Named Confederation Champion

In 1985, Canada was named champion of the Confederation and received a trophy following the World Cup qualifying tournament.

1989: Costa Rica Named Confederation Champion

In 1989, Costa Rica was named champion of the Confederation and received a trophy following the World Cup qualifying tournament.

1990: CONCACAF Championship Renamed

In 1990, CONCACAF renamed and restructured the CONCACAF Championship as the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

1990: Return of NAFC Championship

In 1990, after 41 years of absence, the NAFC Championship returned as the North American Nations Cup.

1991: North American Nations Cup

In 1991, the North American zone held the North American Nations Cup, which was won by Mexico. This was part of the competitions held by the NAFC before the formation of CONCACAF.

1991: First CONCACAF Gold Cup Hosted

In 1991, the United States hosted the first CONCACAF Gold Cup and became the inaugural champion of the eight-team tournament.

1991: Inaugural CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 1991, the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup was held. This marked the start of the competition as the top continental tournament for men's senior national teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, succeeding the CONCACAF Championship.

1991: Dominance of Mexico and the United States

Since the formation of the Gold Cup in 1991, Mexico has won the CONCACAF Championship nine times, the United States has won it seven times, and Canada has won it once.

1993: Mexico Wins CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 1993, Mexico won one of their three consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup titles.

1996: First Guest Team at Gold Cup

In 1996, Brazil, the defending FIFA World Cup Champions, became the first guest team to participate in the Gold Cup.

1996: Mexico Wins CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 1996, Mexico won one of their three consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup titles.

1996: Brazil Invited to 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup

The 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the first iteration to have a guest from a different confederation, Brazil from CONMEBOL. Despite bringing their under-23 team, Brazil finished as runners-up to Mexico.

1998: Mexico Wins CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 1998, Mexico won one of their three consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup titles.

2000: TUDN Airs CONCACAF Gold Cup

In the United States, the CONCACAF Gold Cup airs on Fox Sports and TUDN since 2000.

2000: Increase in Tournament Field

Starting with the 2000 Gold Cup, the tournament field was increased to twelve teams.

2005: End of Guest Teams

Guests were invited to participate in the six Gold Cup tournaments from 1996 to 2005.

2007: Exclusive CONCACAF Nations

For the 2007 tournament, the Gold Cup was contested exclusively by nations within CONCACAF.

2007: United States Defends Title at 2007 Gold Cup

In 2007, the Gold Cup hosts, the United States, successfully defended their title by beating Mexico in the final with a score of 2–1 in Chicago. Canada and Guadeloupe shared third place.

2007: CONCACAF No Longer Invites Guests

Starting in 2007, CONCACAF stopped inviting guests from other confederations, primarily to give more opportunities to teams in the region to compete.

2009: Mexico Wins 2009 Gold Cup

In 2009, Mexico won the Gold Cup by defeating the United States with a score of 5–0.

2011: Mexico Wins 2011 Gold Cup

In the 2011 Gold Cup, Mexico defeated the USA 4–2 in the final.

2013: USA Wins 2013 Gold Cup

In 2013, the USA won the Gold Cup by beating Panama 1–0.

2013: CONCACAF Cup Playoff

Prior to 2015, the winner of the Gold Cup qualified for the FIFA Confederations Cup, unless it did not fall in the same year as the FIFA Confederations Cup. As of 2013, The winners of the previous two Gold Cups faced each other in a playoff to determine the CONCACAF entrant to the 2017 Confederations Cup.

2015: Introduction of CONCACAF Cup

In 2015, the winners of the previous two Gold Cups (the 2013 and 2015 editions) faced each other in the CONCACAF Cup – a playoff to determine the CONCACAF entrant to the 2017 Confederations Cup.

January 2017: Expansion of the Gold Cup

In January 2017, Victor Montagliani announced the expansion of the Gold Cup from 12 to 16 teams, starting with the 2019 tournament.

2017: Determination of CONCACAF Entrant

In 2017, the CONCACAF entrant to the Confederations Cup was determined through a playoff between the winners of the 2013 and 2015 Gold Cups.

November 2018: Costa Rica to Host 2019 Tournament

In November 2018, Costa Rica was announced as one of the hosts of the 2019 tournament, with a group B double-header set to be held at the Estadio Nacional.

April 2019: Jamaica to Host 2019 Tournament

In April 2019, it was announced that Jamaica would host a doubleheader in group C at Independence Park for the 2019 tournament.

2021: Qatar Invited to CONCACAF Gold Cup

After a 16-year hiatus from guest nations, Qatar was invited and participated in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, losing in the semi-finals to the United States.