The CONCACAF Gold Cup will expand to 16 teams from 2019 onwards in a bid to broaden access to the region's premier national team competition and also promote the chance for wider hosting opportunities.

Running in its current form since 1991, the North, Central America and Caribbean competition has always featured eight sides and been predominantly hosted by USA. While Mexico and Canada have co-hosted the 2003 and 2015 editions respectively, CONCACAF are looking into the possibility of expanding those co-hosting opportunities to Central America and the Caribbean.

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani said the move would look “to make the region’s most competitive football more accessible to more of our confederation’s teams, players and fans”.

“By widening access to these important tournaments for more of our Member Associations,” he continued, “we work towards our goal of ensuring that the football produced in the CONCACAF region is of the highest quality in the world.”

Further details regarding qualification for the 2019 edition are set to be clarified during the upcoming launch of the CONCACAF Nations League on 7 March.