2025 Gold Cup Group Stage Power Rankings
A quick recap and ranking for all 16 teams in this year's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Before we get to far into this list, I need to mention a very important disclaimer that applies to everyone in this tournament.
I don’t think anyone played badly over the entirely of their three game group slate. I think there are a handful of teams that should be more disappointed than others, but I would not classify any team in this tournament as having an awful group stage.
Yes, four teams have to finish in last according to the standings and only half can advance, but I don’t think anyone that isn’t playing this weekend is going home because they were truly awful on the field.
1) MEXICO - Winners Group A / 2W-0L-1D, 7pts, +3 GD
Basically until someone beats them, El Tri are at the top of the CONCACAF mountain. Centerback Cesar Montes has been great in the box scoring goals all over the place and you have to assume their strikers will get involved at some point which is bad news for everyone else.
2) PANAMA - Winners Group C / 3-0-0, 9pts +7 GD
The Canaleros have just been their consistent selves, Ismael Diaz and Tomas Rodriguez both can’t stop scoring, and the real shame here is Panama is on the same half of the bracket as Mexico because I think that would be the best final at this point.
3) COSTA RICA - Runners Up Group A / 2-0-1, 7 pts, +2 GD
I’m putting the Ticos above group winners USA and Canada based solely on the fact that I have questions about those two and I really don’t about Costa Rica. I think they have the best chance to pull an upset in the next round over the USMNT despite some concerns on defense but six goals puts them in the top four offensively in this tournament. Will be without Manfred Ugalde (3 goals) against the USA though.
4) UNITED STATES - Winners Group D / 3-0-0, 9 pts, +7 GD
Won all three games, topped the group with a mostly B squad at best, still some of the same issues persist with this team. Why they’re trying to play out of the back I do not know, some individual bright spots include Chris Richards, Malik Tillman, and Patrick Agyemang.
5) CANADA - Winners Group B / 2-0-1, 7 pts, +8 GD
They’re below the USA solely because I had more expectations for Canada and they did not play well their last two games. Late equalizer allowed to Curacao and that mess against El Salvador aside, this is still one of the teams that can knock off Mexico and they’re on the easier half of the bracket. Tajon Buchanan has three goals already and could be picking up more regional acolades.
6) GUATEMALA - Runners Up Group C / 2-1-0, 6 pts, +1 GD
I want to put Los Chapines higher but they were absolutely dominated by Panama despite that 1-0 scoreline. Another team I think is a live upset candidate in the quarterfinals against Canada, Oscar Santis should be getting tournament First XI consideration.
7) HONDURAS - Runners Up Group B / 2-1-0, 6 pts, -3 GD
Did incredibly well to put that early rout against Canada behind them to win their next two games. Were in control against both CUW/SLV though the own goal keeper Edrick Menjivar allowed made things closer than it should have been against El Salvador. Let’s see if they can give Panama a game over the weekend and Costa Rica a run for their money in WCQ in the fall.
8) SAUDI ARABIA - Runners Up Group D / 1-1-1, 4 pts, 0 GD
I don’t know what to do with you Saudi Arabia so the last of the quarterfinalists seems appropriate. The bunker ball against the USA was an interesting choice and you scraped by Trinidad with a second half goal and Haiti from a penalty so I’m not overwhelmed by this resume. I hope there’s a better game plan for the next round.
T9) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Third Place Group A / 0-2-1, 1 pt, -2 GD
T9) SURINAME - Fourth Place Group A / 0-2-1, 1 pt, -3 GD
Doing the DR and Suriname together because I had hoped that these two would make Group A fun and they did. Despite both getting eliminated after two games and an early red card not helping their 0-0 draw in the finale, I have far more positive things to say about these teams than most of the teams going home. What could have been for the DR in particular if they had held on against Costa Rica.
11) TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - Third Place Group D / 0-1-2, 2 pts, -5 GD
I was very concerned about the Soca Warriors after that blowout against the USA, but they deserve credit for battling their final two games and were it not for a crossbar could have made the knockouts over Saudi Arabia. This is not the Trinidad team of years past but hopefully they can keep improving.
12) GUADELOUPE - Fourth Place Group C / 0-0-3, 0 pts, -5 GD
Yeah, a fourth place team is going to be this high because when you score as many goals as Mexico, including two absolute worldies, we’re going to give credit where its due. Yes, the Gwada Boys were outclassed on the defensive end but were always clawing goals back. Shame they got dropped down the CNL B Flight but the non-FIFA side will be back I’m sure.
13) HAITI - Fourth Place Group D / 0-2-1, 1 pt, -2 GD
Les Grenadiers just never got the offense going and playing against the USA and Saudis that is more understandable than my expectations going in for Haiti. Not going through to the quarterfinals is understandable, not getting a win however I think is disappointing.
14) JAMAICA - Third Place Group C / 1-0-2, 3 pts, -3 GD
This feels right for the Reggae Boyz. Three underwhelming games, especially offensively which should be the strength of this team. Woeful shooting numbers against Guatemala did them in this tournament. They really have only WCQ left for this core of players to prove they can be a top team in the region which with the talent they have should not be a question yet we ask it so often.
15) CURACAO - Third Place Group B / 0-1-2, 2 pts, - 1 GD
Feels criminal to put the Blue Panthers this low, but the offense was almost non-existent. Yes they stole an equalizer to give them hope against Honduras but they were only in that game because of keeper howler. Really bummed for our favorite Bacuna brothers and Dick Advocaat’s squad because we know they can do better and there was real opportunity here, but they couldn’t capitalize.
16) EL SALVADOR - Fourth Place Group B / 0-2-1, 1 pts, -4 GD
Just going to assume they led the tournament in fouls committed without confirming since they had at least 40 in the first half against Canada alone. Very tragic to see the Cuscatlecos go full CONCACAF dark arts and villainy, you are better than this. You won two group games just four years ago. I said at the top that no team was horrific on the field, I take that back - the first half against Canada a spectacular display of not soccer and deserving of the basement.