You’ve probably been scouring the web looking for the kick-off times for the concacaf gold cup games today, maybe even double-checking your sports betting apps or trying to find a streaming link on Fubo. I get it. The confusion is real.
Here is the hard truth: there are no Gold Cup matches happening today.
Basically, if you’re looking for the 2026 edition of the tournament, you’re about a year and a half too early. If you were hoping to catch the tail end of the last one, you’re about six months late. The most recent CONCACAF Gold Cup wrapped up in July 2025 with Mexico lifting their tenth title after a gritty 2-1 win over the United States in Houston.
So, why are people searching for it right now? Honestly, it’s likely because of a massive international friendly taking place today, January 17, 2026, that feels a lot like a tournament rematch.
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The "Fake" Gold Cup Game: Canada vs. Guatemala
While it’s not an official tournament fixture, the biggest thing on the pitch today is the international friendly between Canada and Guatemala.
It’s happening at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, and the narrative is thick. Why? Because this is a direct rematch of one of the wildest 2025 Gold Cup quarterfinals. If you remember that June night in Minneapolis, Guatemala stunned the North American giants, knocking Canada out of the tournament in a 6-5 penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
Today’s game (kicking off at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT) is the "Road to 2026" opener for Jesse Marsch’s squad. Canada is effectively using this January camp to look at MLS-based players like Zorhan Bassong. They’re trying to figure out who has the legs for the World Cup roster later this year.
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When is the Next CONCACAF Gold Cup?
The tournament follows a biennial cycle, meaning it happens every two years.
- Last Edition: June 14 – July 6, 2025
- Next Edition: Summer 2027 (Expected)
There is no Gold Cup in 2026 because the FIFA World Cup is taking over the entire continent. Canada, Mexico, and the United States are co-hosting the biggest show on Earth starting in June. CONCACAF doesn't want to compete with its own backyard party, so the regional championship takes a backseat for the year.
Most people get this mixed up because the Gold Cup is usually the "warm-up" for the World Cup. In 2025, it served that purpose perfectly. Mexico, under Javier Aguirre, proved they were back on top, while the U.S. under Mauricio Pochettino showed some worrying gaps in defense that they are still trying to plug today.
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What Happened in the Last Gold Cup?
If you’re feeling a bit of nostalgia or just want to catch up on the stats before tonight's friendly, here’s the quick rundown of the 2025 tournament results.
Mexico was dominant. They breezed through the group stage and eventually ground out a win in the final. The real surprise, though, was the guest team, Saudi Arabia. They actually made it to the quarterfinals before being shut out 2-0 by El Tri.
The knockout stage was a chaotic mess of penalty shootouts. Three of the four quarterfinals were decided by spot-kicks. That’s where the Canada vs. Guatemala rivalry really ignited. Canada thought they had it in the bag until a late surge from the Guatemalans forced the shootout that sent the "Les Rouges" packing.
Actionable Next Steps for Soccer Fans
Since you can’t watch a Gold Cup game today, here is what you should actually do to stay in the loop:
- Watch Canada vs. Guatemala: Catch the live friendly on OneSoccer or FuboTV. It kicks off at 10 PM ET. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to a tournament atmosphere today.
- Follow the Canadian Championship Draw: Before the match, Canada Soccer is hosting the official draw for the 2026 Telus Canadian Championship. If you follow MLS or CPL clubs like Vancouver Whitecaps or Forge FC, this is where the domestic season starts to take shape.
- Check the Concacaf Champions Cup: While the Gold Cup is dormant, the Champions Cup (club level) starts next month. Keep an eye on teams like Philadelphia Union, who are currently in Spain for preseason before heading to Trinidad and Tobago for their opener on February 16.
- Mark Your World Cup Calendar: June 11, 2026. That’s the opening match at the Estadio Azteca. Everything you see today—including these January friendlies—is just a dress rehearsal for that date.
The search for concacaf gold cup games today might have led you to a dead end, but the international calendar is far from empty. Between the World Cup preparations and the upcoming Champions Cup, the region is busier than it has been in decades.