Saudi Arabia was announced on Thursday as an invited guest of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2025 and 2027, eight days after being selected to host the 2034 World Cup.
The 16-nation Gold Cup, the North and Central American and Caribbean soccer championship, will be played next year at 14 locations in 11 areas of the United States and Canada from June 14 to July 6.
The United States sent secondary squads to the 2021 and 2023 Gold Cups to give most European players time off after their club seasons.
Previous visitors include Brazil (1996, 1998, 2003), Colombia (2000, 2003, 2005), Ecuador (2002), Peru (2000), Qatar (2021, 2023), South Africa (2005) and South Korea ( 2000, 2002) ).
Mexico has won nine Gold Cups, including in 2023. The United States has won seven, including in 2021, and Canada in 2000.
Canada, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Panama and the United States have qualified for next year’s Gold Cup. CONCACAF said the draw would take place on April 10.
