CONCACAF Gold Cup expands to 16 nations

AP

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The CONCACAF Gold Cup will expand from 12 nations to 16 for the next edition in 2019.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football also said Monday it will explore holding the 2019 tournament outside of the United States, possibly with some games in Central America and the Caribbean.

CONCACAF started the Gold Cup in 1991, and 11 of the 14 tournaments have been played entirely in the U.S. Two have been shared by the U.S. and Mexico, and one by the U.S. and Canada.

The U.S. is the defending champion after winning its sixth regional title last year. Mexico has seven championships and Canada won in 2000.

The 2019 tournament figures to be the first significant test for the next U.S. coach. Bruce Arena quit in October after the U.S. failed to qualify for this year's World Cup, ending a streak of seven straight appearances in soccer's showcase.

CONCACAF said it will announce the Gold Cup qualifying process on March 7, when it reveals details of a Nations League tournament.