USA draws with Jamaica and Nicaragua in Gold Cup with one more team to be decided ahead of Star and Stripes’ defense of July tournament

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By Alastair Talbot For Dailymail.Com

The U.S. has been paired with Jamaica and Nicaragua ahead of this summer’s Gold Cup tournament, with one more team to be decided between Caribbean islands St. Maarten, Curacao, St Kitts and Nevis, or department of France — French Guinea. 

The Star and Stripes, led by Englishman Anthony Hudson, are looking to become the tournament’s first back-to-back reigning champions since Mexico in 2009 and 2011. 

Other countries will be trying to break the commonality of a USA-Mexico final for the first time since 2017. That year, the U.S. defeated Jamaica 2-1 at Levi Stadium – home of the San Francisco 49ers – in Santa Clara, California. 

‘The region itself is getting stronger. We just want to keep improving,’ Hudson said ahead of Friday’s draw. ‘The benchmark for us is winning this again.’ 

Mexico faces Haiti, Honduras and this year’s guest nation, Qatar, in Group B. Costa Rica – who’ve reached the last three World Cups (2022, 2018, 2014) – will play against Panama, El Salvador and either Martinique or St. Lucia in Group C; while Canada will come up against Guatemala, Cuba and either Trinidad & Tobago or Guadeloupe in Group D.

The U.S. has been drawn in a tricky group with Jamaica and Nicaragua in this year's Gold Cup

The U.S. has been drawn in a tricky group with Jamaica and Nicaragua in this year’s Gold Cup 

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