CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF is a footballing powerhouse, comprising North, Central America, and the Caribbean, and housing some of the most competitive national teams worldwide.

The region boasts a kaleidoscope of football cultures, styles, and talents, ranging from the seasoned veterans of Mexico and the United States to the up-and-coming stars of Jamaica and Canada.

On the global stage, the North American national football teams have been a force to reckon with, with the CONCACAF being the third-most successful FIFA confederation in the men’s game.

Despite their success in regional competitions, North American teams have never won the FIFA World Cup. However, they continue to showcase their competitiveness and provide enthralling footballing experiences for fans around the world. In this article, we take a closer look at the top 10 CONCACAF team rankings and see which teams made the cut!

Honorable Mention

Trinidad & Tobago 

The Trinidad & Tobago national football team, nicknamed the “Soca Warriors,” has a storied footballing past and has continued to improve in recent times.

The team has enjoyed immense success at the now-defunct Caribbean Cup, emerging victorious ten times and coming in second on seven occasions.

In 2006, they made history by qualifying for their first-ever FIFA World Cup and even managed to secure a draw against Sweden. Additionally, the Soca Warriors have dominated regional tournaments, winning the Caribbean Cup eight times.

Head coach Angus Eve leads the team, which boasts a blend of established veterans and promising young players, including Kevin Molino, Sheldon Bateau, and Levi Garcia. The team kicked off the year 2023 in style, winning three matches and drawing one out of four played.

Top 10 CONCACAF Teams

10. El Salvador

The El Salvador national football team has a rich history of competing in regional tournaments, with a notable presence in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Although they have only qualified for the World Cup twice, in 1970 and 1982, their achievements in the CONCACAF regional tournaments cannot be overlooked.

They have participated in the tournament a total of fourteen times, with notable finishes as runners-up in 1963 and 1981.

Over the years, El Salvador has produced a number of gifted players, including iconic figures such as Raul Diaz Arce and Jorge “Mágico” González.

While the team ended 2022 on a disappointing note with two losses, they have shown signs of improvement in 2023, despite a loss in their first match. Presently, the team has been ranked among the top 10 in CONCACAF.

9. Guatemala

The Guatemala national football team has experienced both highs and lows throughout its history, but their passion and talent for the game cannot be questioned.

Although they have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, they have achieved success in regional tournaments like the CONCACAF Championship, which they won in 1967.

The team has also made three appearances at the Olympic Games, in 1968, 1976, and 1988. Over the years, the team has produced a number of notable players, including Carlos Ruiz, who holds the record for the most goals scored by a Guatemalan national team player.

Guatemala’s footballing prowess is continuously evolving, and as proof of their progress, the team has started 2023 on a positive note with a win and a draw in two matches.

8. Haiti

Haiti has a rich footballing history, and they were the second Caribbean team to qualify for the World Cup after winning the 1973 CONCACAF Championship.

Although they only made one appearance in 1974, they faced stiff competition in the opening group stage against pre-tournament favorites Italy, Poland, and Argentina.

Despite facing numerous challenges such as natural disasters and political instability in their country, the Haiti national football team has recently re-emerged as a dominant force in the CONCACAF region.

The team is currently on a four-game winning streak, demonstrating their strength and determination on the pitch.

7. Honduras

The Honduras national football team has a solid history in international football, having qualified for the FIFA World Cup on three occasions, in 1982, 2010, and 2014.

However, they have never advanced past the group stage. The team has also participated in various other competitions, including the CONCACAF Championship, which they won in 1981, and the Copa América, where they finished third in 2001.

Additionally, they have won the Central American Cup championship four times, with their most recent win coming in 2017. The team is known for its physical style of play, strong defense, and quick counterattacks.

Over the years, several talented players have represented Honduras, including Carlos Pavón, their highest goalscorer, Noel Valladares, and Maynor Figueroa. 

6. Jamaica

The Jamaica national football team, nicknamed the Reggae Boyz, has a proud footballing history, notably becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1998.

However, despite finishing third in their group, they failed to progress beyond the group stage. The team has also enjoyed success in regional competitions, winning the Caribbean Cup six times.

The Reggae Boyz have produced several talented players over the years, such as Theodore Whitmore and Deon Burton. The team is renowned for its passionate supporters and distinctive playing style, characterized by speed, agility, and skill on the ball.

Though the team has faced challenges due to financial and administrative difficulties, their recent resurgence, fueled by the emergence of talented players like Leon Bailey, who plays in top European leagues, is promising.

5. Panama

Panama may be a small country in the football world, but it has made impressive strides in recent times. The team’s disciplined defensive style of play has earned them recognition and they made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2018.

In regional competitions, Panama reached the finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on three occasions (in 2005, 2013, and 2015) and emerged victorious in the sub-regional Copa Centroamericana in 2009.

Though they are not considered one of the top footballing nations, Panama has made a name for itself in the CONCACAF region and continues to aspire to greater success on the international stage.

4. Canada

Canada, one of the largest nations on the continent, has experienced a resurgence in talent and development in recent years, leading to several notable achievements.

They won the 1985 CONCACAF Championship, qualifying for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and won the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup, qualifying for the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Canada is the only national team besides regional powerhouses Mexico and the United States to win a Gold Cup. In addition, Canada won a gold medal in the 1904 Summer Olympics.

Despite their recent elimination in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in which they participated for the second time, Canada’s top talents such as Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David are expected to continue to improve and set new milestones. Canada will also co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the United States and Mexico.

3. Costa Rica

The Costa Rica national football team has established itself as one of the most successful teams in North America.

With six FIFA World Cup appearances, their most notable run came in 2014 when they advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Uruguay, Italy, and Greece, before being eliminated by the Netherlands.

The team has also won the CONCACAF Gold Cup three times and finished as runners-up three other times. Since the late 1980s, they have maintained a solidly competitive side, with a core group of experienced players like Keylor Navas and Celso Borges.

Additionally, a talented new generation of players is emerging, suggesting that Costa Rica will continue to make a significant impact on the international football scene.

2. USA

The battle for the title of the top national football team in North America is fiercely contested by the USA and Mexico.

USA’s national football team, also known as the USMNT, is a member of the Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and has participated in ten FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Though the USMNT has never won the World Cup, they have had notable performances, such as reaching the quarterfinals in 2002.

They also compete in continental tournaments, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa América. The USMNT has won seven Gold Cups and the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Nations League, finishing fourth in two Copa Américas in 1995 and 2016.

They have a diverse and talented player pool that includes both domestic players from Major League Soccer and overseas players from top European leagues, such as Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, and Tyler Adams.

With an interesting and young crop of players, the USMNT is poised to compete for more titles in the years to come, as evidenced by their strong performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

1. Mexico

Mexico is undoubtedly the dominant force in North American football, boasting a rich history of success in both the FIFA World Cup and CONCACAF tournaments.

The national team has qualified for the World Cup on 17 occasions, including every tournament since 1994 – a feat achieved by only six countries. Their style of play is characterized by their technical skills, fluid passing, and attacking mentality, which has resulted in many unforgettable victories.

Mexico is the most successful national team in the CONCACAF region, with 11 Gold Cup titles to their name, and they have also finished as runners-up in the Copa America and Confederations Cup.

Additionally, Mexico is the only team from the region to win an official FIFA competition, having triumphed in the 1999 Confederations Cup. The national team has produced a long list of legends, including Guillermo Ochoa, Hugo Sanchez, Rafael Marquez, and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.

With this legacy of success and a talented current roster that includes the likes of Hirving Lozano and Raul Jimenez, Mexico remains a footballing powerhouse and a favorite to continue its domination in the North American region.