The Costa Rica National Stadium in La Sabana will host for the first time ever two of the Gold Cup 2019 group matches.

The Gold Cup for the first time will have some of its games take place outside of North America; Costa Rica will host the first game of Group B, the male national soccer team will be playing at home against a rival yet to be announced, the date will be June 16, 2019.
A site in the Caribbean that has still not been named will also be hosting another pair of matches of Group C.

This is also the first time that the Gold Cup will include a total of 16 teams, which will be split in four groups of four, out of each, two will advance to the quarterfinals.

“It is a great reward for the fans to be able to host matches of the Gold Cup in the country. This could not have been achieved without the support of the Government”, commented Rodolfo Villalobos, president of the Costa Rican Soccer Federation (FEDEFUTBOL).

Costa Rica will play its first game June 16 at home and will then travel to Frisco, TX for its second match; its last game of the first phase will be in New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena.

Having Gold Cup matches played outside North America is one of several initiatives launched by CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani who has insisted in the importance of including more Central American and Caribbean teams and fans in this tournament.