The former USMNT forward voiced strong criticism of the CONCACAF Gold Cup format, calling for significant changes

• Gomez advocates for rotating Gold Cup host nations
• Analyst criticizes bracket system favoring USA and Mexico
• Says tournament prioritizing profits over development

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  WHAT HAPPENED

  With the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 kicking off in June, ESPN analyst Herculez Gomez called for an overhaul of the tournament's format. The former USMNT player expressed frustration with the games regularly being held in the United States and the perceived favoritism in the bracket structure.

  Gomez said other nations that participate in the tournament deserve the chance to be hosts and that despite saying they want competitive balance, CONCACAF seems more interested in profits.

  “We’re not naïve – his tournament needs to stop being held in the United States every single edition," Gomez said on It needs to be an actual fair draw, it needs to be not just Mexico one side of the bracket, the U.S. the other side of the bracket and we’re going to organize and by design know that these two will meet in the final. Have you seen the away records of the USMNT and Mexico away from home? What do you think this would be like of Honduras hosted the Gold Cup?

  “If Jamaica hosted the Gold Cup? If Costa Rica hosted the Gold Cup? Don’t those countries deserve this as well, or is the only thing important here is cashing in on the United States and the popularity of Mexico? And that’s a problem for me, it’s a problem for this region, it’s a problem for the growth of other countries and it’s a problem for the fans. Because they’re looking straight to your face, and you’re not smart enough to figure this out, and that’s what they’re saying to you. They will tell you all kind of things with all kinds of excuses but the only thing they care about isn’t growing the game, it’s growing the wallets.”

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Gold Cup serves as CONCACAF's national team competition, showcasing talent from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. However, its format and organization have faced criticism over hindering the growth of soccer in smaller nations and maintaining a status quo that benefits the region's powerhouses.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  The 2025 Gold Cup will take place from June 14 to July 6 across the United States and Canada, as the two nations are co-hosting the tournament. Mexico are the defending champions after having won a record-extending ninth title in the 2023 edition.