Soccer-Gold Cup teams preview

Preview of the 16 teams taking part in the 2019 Gold Cup, which runs from June 15-July 7. GROUP A

Canada FIFA ranking – 78

Best Gold Cup performance – Winners 1985, 2000 Player to watch – Scott Arfield

Interesting fact: Canada won the Gold Cup in 2000 by beating invited guests Colombia 2-0 in the final.

Mexico FIFA ranking – 18

Best Gold Cup performance – Winners 1965, 1971, 1977, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2015 Player to watch – Raul Jimenez

Interesting fact: Mexico have played in more Gold Cups than any other nation (22), and also won more (10). Martinique

FIFA ranking – N/A Best Gold Cup performance – Quarter-finals 2002

Player to watch – Kevin Parsemain Interesting fact: As an overseas department of France, Martinique is not a member of FIFA and cannot participate in the World Cup.

Cuba FIFA ranking – 174

Best Gold Cup performance – Fourth 1971 Player to watch – Luis Paradela

Interesting fact: Cuba have participated in 10 Gold Cups but have never won more than one match at any tournament. GROUP B

Haiti FIFA ranking - 100

Best Gold Cup performance – Winners 1973 Player to watch - Richelor Sprangers

Interesting fact: Haiti have qualified for the World Cup only once in their history, in 1974. Bermuda

FIFA ranking – 175 Best Gold Cup performance – Debutants

Player to watch – Zeiko Lewis Interesting fact: Bermuda are one of two teams who are this year making their first ever Gold Cup appearance.

Costa Rica FIFA ranking – 38

Best Gold Cup performance – Winners 1963, 1969, 1989 Player to watch – Joel Campbell

Interesting fact: In 1963 Costa Rica were the first winners of the initial version of the Gold Cup, then known as the CONCACAF Championship. Nicaragua

FIFA ranking – 129 Best Gold Cup performance – Group stage

Player to watch – Juan Ramon Barrera Interesting fact: Nicaragua are looking for their first win in this their fifth Gold Cup, having played 15 matches and lost 14 and drawn one.

GROUP C Curacao

FIFA ranking – 82 Best Gold Cup performance – Third in 1963 and 1969 (as Netherlands Antilles)

Player to watch – Rangelo Janga Interesting fact: Curacao lifted the King’s Cup in Thailand on June 8 by beating Vietnam on penalties in what was their final warm up for the Gold Cup.

El Salvador FIFA ranking – 71

Best Gold Cup performance – Runners up 1963 and 1981 Player to watch – Nelson Bonilla

Interesting fact: El Salvador were the last team to secure their Gold Cup spot, with a 2-0 win over Jamaica in the final round of qualifying. Jamaica

FIFA ranking – 56 Best Gold Cup performance – Runners up 2015 and 2017

Player to watch – Leon Bailey Interesting fact: Jamaica have lost the last two finals of the Gold Cup, to Mexico in 2015 and the United States in 2017.

Honduras FIFA ranking – 61

Best Gold Cup performance – Winners 1981 Player to watch – Romell Quioto

Interesting fact: Honduras's 7-0 defeat by Brazil in their final warm-up game on Sunday was their heaviest loss in 89 years. GROUP D

Panama FIFA ranking – 74

Best Gold Cup performance – Runners up 2005, 2013 Player to watch – Michael Murillo

Interesting fact: Panama had never qualified for the World Cup finals until last year in Russia. Trinidad and Tobago

FIFA ranking – 93 Best Gold Cup performance – Runners up 1973

Player to watch – Marvin Phillip Interesting fact: Trinidad and Tobago have competed in 15 Gold Cup tournaments but never won any, only once reaching the final, where they lost to Haiti in 1973.

United States FIFA ranking – 24

Best Gold Cup performance – Winners 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017 Player to watch – Christian Pulisic

Interesting fact: Coach Gregg Berhalter took over as coach in December last year and is leading a national side for the first time at a major tournament. Guyana

FIFA ranking – 175 Best Gold Cup performance – Debutants

Player to watch – Neil Danns Interesting fact: Guyana are one of two teams who are this year making their first ever Gold Cup appearance. (Reporting by Andrew Downie Editing by Toby Davis)