The 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup was the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, an international women's soccer competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the member associations of CONCACAF. The tournament is being contested by twelve teams from February 20 to March 10, 2024, in the United States.[1] Eight CONCACAF national teams qualified for the tournament, joined by four guest teams from CONMEBOL.[2][3]
The hosts United States won the inaugural W Gold Cup title by defeating Brazil in the final. The match was played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, on March 10.[4]
Format
On December 10, 2020, the CONCACAF Council approved the structure and calendar of the competition. The qualification competition, known as the "Road to Concacaf W Gold Cup", began with the group stage, featuring 33 women's national teams of CONCACAF split into three leagues (A, B and C). Each league featured three groups, containing three teams each in League A, and four teams each in Leagues B and C. The teams in each group played against each other home-and-away in a round-robin format. The top three teams in League A qualified directly for the W Gold Cup. The group runners-up of League A and the League B group winners participated in a play-in in April 2024 to compete for the final three spots at the W Gold Cup. The two CONCACAF women's national teams that qualified for the Summer Olympics in 2024 (the United States and Canada) received a bye directly to the W Gold Cup, skipping qualification.[3]
The final tournament was held from February 20 to March 10, 2024. Originally, CONCACAF announced the tournament would be played in June 2024, the month prior to the start of the 2024 Olympic women's soccer tournament,[2] but on March 8, 2023, announced it would be moved up to February and March.[1] The W Gold Cup featured twelve teams, including the two teams that qualified for the Summer Olympics, the six teams that qualified from the group stage and play-in, and four guest national teams. The twelve teams were split into three groups of four that competed in a single round-robin. Eight teams, the top two teams of each group and the two-best third-placed teams, advanced to the knockout stage. The knockout stage consisted of quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final to determine the champion.[2]
On January 27, 2023, the United States were confirmed as the tournament hosts. In addition, the top four teams from CONMEBOL's 2022 Copa América Femenina were confirmed as guests for the tournament.[5]
Venues
The venues and host cities were announced on November 29, 2023.
820miles
| San Diego | Carson |
|---|---|
| Snapdragon Stadium | Dignity Health Sports Park |
| Capacity: 35,000 | Capacity: 30,510 |
|
|
| Houston | Los Angeles |
| Shell Energy Stadium | BMO Stadium |
| Capacity: 22,039 | Capacity: 22,000 |
|
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Qualification
The league stage of qualification took place in September through December 2023, while the play-in took place in February 2024.[2]
Qualified teams
| Team | Method of qualification |
Date of qualification | FIFA ranking[6] at start of event |
|---|---|---|---|
 United States (host) |
2022 CONCACAF W Championship winner | July 18, 2022 | 2 |
 Canada |
CONCACAF Olympic play-off winner | September 26, 2023 | 10 |
 Mexico |
Qualification League A Group A winner | December 1, 2023 | 35 |
 Panama |
Qualification League A Group B winner | December 3, 2023 | 55 |
 Costa Rica |
Qualification League A Group C winner | December 4, 2023 | 43 |
 Puerto Rico |
Qualification play-off winner | February 17, 2024 | 103 |
 El Salvador |
Qualification play-off winner | February 17, 2024 | 104 |
 Dominican Republic |
Qualification play-off winner | February 17, 2024 | 107 |
 Brazil |
2022 Copa América Femenina winners | January 27, 2023[a] | 11 |
 Colombia |
2022 Copa América Femenina runners-up | January 27, 2023[a] | 23 |
 Argentina |
2022 Copa América Femenina third place | January 27, 2023[a] | 31 |
 Paraguay |
2022 Copa América Femenina fourth place | January 27, 2023[a] | 50 |
Notes
Draw
The final draw for the tournament took place on December 11, 2023, in Miami at 7:00 p.m. EST.[7]
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Notes
- ^ a b c Team was competing in the qualifying play-offs and was not known at the time of the draw
Squads
Match officials
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Group stage
Tiebreakers
The teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, the following criteria were used to determine the ranking:[8]: 24
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Number of goals scored in all group matches;
- If two or more teams were equal on the basis of the above criteria
- Points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question;
- Goal difference in the matches played between the teams in question;
- Number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams in question;
- Highest-performing in the Fair play ranking;
- Drawing of lots.
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | United States (H)
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 6 | |
| 3 | Argentina
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4 | |
| 4 | Dominican Republic
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | −16 | 0 |
| Argentina | 3–0 | Dominican Republic |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Colombia
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 6 | |
| 3 | Puerto Rico
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
| 4 | Panama
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13 | −12 | 0 |
| Brazil | 1–0 | Puerto Rico |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Puerto Rico | 2–1 | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Colombia | 0–1 | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Colombia | 2–0 | Puerto Rico |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Paraguay
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 6 | |
| 3 | Costa Rica
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
| 4 | El Salvador
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 0 |
| Costa Rica | 0–1 | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Chamorro  51' |
| Canada | 6–0 | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
| El Salvador | 0–2 | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Canada | 3–0 | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
| Paraguay | 3–2 | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Ranking of third-placed teams
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Argentina
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | C | Costa Rica
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3[a] | |
| 3 | B | Puerto Rico
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3[a] |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Fair play ranking; 5) Drawing of lots.
Notes:
Knockout stage
Format
Starting from the quarter-finals, the teams will play a single-elimination tournament with the following rules:[8]: 25
- If tied, extra time will be played.
- If extra time is to be played, each team will be allowed to make an extra substitution
- If the score is still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out will be used to determine the winners.
Ranking of qualified teams
The top two teams from each group and the two best third-place teams advanced to the quarter-finals. The bracket was decided by means of a ranking based on the standings of the eight teams in the group stage, as follow: 1−8, 2−7, 3−6, 4−5.
| Seed | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Canada
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 | 9 |
| 2 | B | Brazil
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 9 |
| 3 | A | Mexico
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10 | 7 |
| 4 | A | United States
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 6 |
| 5 | B | Colombia
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 6 |
| 6 | C | Paraguay
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 6 |
| 7 | A | Argentina
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4 |
| 8 | C | Costa Rica
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Fair play ranking; 5) Drawing of lots.
Bracket
| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| March 2 – Los Angeles | ||||||||||
1 Canada (a.e.t.) | 1 | |||||||||
| March 6 – San Diego | ||||||||||
8 Costa Rica | 0 | |||||||||
| Canada | 2 (1) | |||||||||
| March 3 – Los Angeles | ||||||||||
| United States (p) | 2 (3) | |||||||||
4 United States | 3 | |||||||||
| March 10 – San Diego | ||||||||||
5 Colombia | 0 | |||||||||
| United States | 1 | |||||||||
| March 2 – Los Angeles | ||||||||||
| Brazil | 0 | |||||||||
2 Brazil | 5 | |||||||||
| March 6 – San Diego | ||||||||||
7 Argentina | 1 | |||||||||
| Brazil | 3 | |||||||||
| March 3 – Los Angeles | ||||||||||
| Mexico | 0 | |||||||||
3 Mexico | 3 | |||||||||
6 Paraguay | 2 | |||||||||
Quarter-finals
| Canada | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Brazil | 5–1 | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
|
Report | Dos Santos 82' |
| Mexico | 3–2 | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
| United States | 3–0 | Colombia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Semi-finals
| Brazil | 3–0 | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
| Canada | 2–2 (a.e.t.) | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Report | ||
| Penalties | ||
| 1–3 | ||
Final
| United States | 1–0 | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Awards
The following players and team earned top distinctions:[11]
| Golden Ball | Golden Boot | Golden Glove |
|---|---|---|
| Jaedyn Shaw
|
Adriana Leon
|
Alyssa Naeher
|
| Young Player Award | ||
| Olivia Smith
| ||
| CONCACAF Fair Play Trophy | ||
| United States
| ||
| Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alyssa Naeher
|
Goalscorers
There were 84 goals scored in 25 matches, for an average of 3.36 goals per match.
6 goals
5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
- Dalila Ippólito
- Maricel Pereyra
- Adriana
- Antônia
- Beatriz
- Debinha
- Duda Santos
- Rafaelle
- Vitória Yaya
- Kadeisha Buchanan
- Cloé Lacasse
- Evelyne Viens
- Manuela Vanegas
- Samantha Fisher
- Danielle Fuentes
- Rebeca Bernal
- Jasmine Casarez
- Nicolette Hernández
- Diana Ordóñez
- Natalia Mills
- Camila Barbosa
- Lice Chamorro
- Rebeca Fernández
- Madison Cox
- Danielle Marcano
- Sophia Smith
- Lynn Williams
1 own goal
- Carina Baltrip-Reyes (against Colombia)
Source: CONCACAF
Marketing
Broadcasting rights
In the United States, games were broadcast in English by CBS Sports through the Paramount+ streaming service.[13] In Spanish, games were broadcast by ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.[14] In Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America (including Brazil), the broadcast rights were held by ESPN.[13] In India, games were streamed live by Fancode. In Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden), games were broadcast by Viaplay.
Sponsorship
The following were announced as founding partners of the tournament:
Symbols
Match ball
Vantaggio by Molten was used as the tournament’s official match ball.
Music
"Woke Up This Morning" by British band A3, "Run" by Canadian rock band Our Lady Peace and "One in a Million" by Swedish singer-songwriter Bosson served as the three main official songs of the tournament, with the former using a edited version of the Chosen One Mix, which censored the “got yourself a gun” lyrics, while the latter was used as a theme song for the Final.
"Natural Born Winners" by American musician Ziggy Sullivin served as the official anthem of the tournament.
"Vamos" by Latin American singers Sofía Castro, Fiamma, Alexis Gomez and Pitizion served as the official Spanish-language song of the tournament. They also performed the song live at the final at Snapdragon Stadium on March 10, 2024.
Controversies
On 6 March before the semi-final match between Canada and the USA, heavy torrential rain[15] has rendered the pitch at the Snapdragon Stadium extremely muddy and waterclogged, but the referee Katia García neither suspended nor abandoned the match.[16] ESPN reached out to the CONCACAF and the CONCACAF responded that the referee alone would decide if the pitch was unplayable.[17] However, during an interview with CBS, Christina Unkel, a retired USSF referee, implied that the referee would need to consult with the match commissioner.[18] Unkel further stated that García has attempted to show the match commissioner, Monique André of Haïti,[19] that the pitch was indeed unplayable.[18][17] At the 48th minutes of the match, Jessie Fleming of Canada was tripped by Tierna Davidson of the USA inside the USA's penalty area, but the referee neither gave Canada a penalty nor consulted the VAR.[20][21]
References
- ^ a b "CONCACAF announces dates and format for inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup". CONCACAF. March 8, 2023. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "CONCACAF to launch new senior women's national team competitions to benefit entire Confederation". CONCACAF. December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "Concacaf to launch revamped W Championship and new W Gold Cup". CONCACAF. August 19, 2021. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ "USWNT wins first W Gold Cup, defeating Brazil 1-0". The Athletic. March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ "CONMEBOL and CONCACAF sign strategic collaboration agreement". CONCACAF. January 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ "FIFA Women's Ranking - 15 Dec 2023". FIFA. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Concacaf confirms 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup participating women's national teams and draw pots and procedures". CONCACAF. December 6, 2023.
- ^ a b "Concacaf W GOLD CUP – REGULATIONS 2024". CONCACAF. July 15, 2023.
- ^ "CONCACAF Statement". CONCACAF. February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ "2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup Quarterfinal matchups and schedule confirmed". CONCACAF. February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ "Shaw, Naeher lead honors at W Gold Cup". CONCACAF. March 11, 2024.
- ^ "Shaw, Leon, Ovalle head up W Gold Cup Best XI". CONCACAF. March 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Draw delivers groups for 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup". CONCACAF. December 11, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "ESPN Reaches Agreement with CONCACAF for W Gold Cup 2024". ESPN Press Room. February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ Ben Morse (March 7, 2024). "Waterlogged pitch causes controversy as U.S. women's team beats Canada in penalty shootout to reach W Gold Cup final". ctvnews.ca. CTV. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
after torrential rain fell in the build up
- ^ Meg Linehan; Steph Yang; Jeff Rueter; Tamerra Griffin (March 6, 2024). "USWNT made to play on waterlogged field in Gold Cup semifinal vs. Canada". theAthletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Cesar Hernandez (March 7, 2024). "Should USWNT's rain-soaked win vs. Canada have been played at all?". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ a b @AttackingThird (March 7, 2024). "Rules expert, @ChristinaUnkel breaks down the regulations behind tonight's waterlogged pitch and the decision to move forward with this semifinal match🙃" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @thegoalkeeper (March 7, 2024). "The match commissioner is Monique André of the Haitian federation" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Canada's women's soccer team falls to U.S. on penalty kicks in rain-soaked Gold Cup semifinal". CBC.ca. CBC News. March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
Canada captain Jessie Fleming appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty after going down in the 48th minute, seemingly after U.S. defender Tierna Davidson made contact in the penalty box.
- ^ Steven Goff (March 7, 2024). "In waterlogged thriller, USWNT tops Canada to advance to Gold Cup final". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
Canada probably should have received a penalty kick shortly after halftime, when U.S. defender Tierna Davidson appeared to step on Jessie Fleming's foot as the Canadian midfielder pursued the ball just inside the box. There was no call and no stoppage for video review.