The Tri has landed in the United States to participate in the Gold Cup, the Concacaf tournament that takes place every two years on U.S. soil. This is the last official competition for the team led by Javier Aguirre before the 2026 World Cup, where it will co-host alongside the United States and Canada. This year’s edition, however, is set against a tense backdrop due to immigration raids led by the Trump administration in early June in Los Angeles, which triggered a wave of mass protests spreading across the country.
The fear of detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has dampened the festive atmosphere among Mexican fans, a group numbering in the millions, mostly made up of migrants who usually fill any stadium where the national team plays. All eyes are on the opening match, where Mexico will face the Dominican Republic in Los Angeles next Saturday, the epicenter of the raids and protests against Trump’s immigration policy. More than 24 hours before the kickoff, Concacaf issued a statement to deny rumors of the match being closed to the public, while two of the largest supporters’ groups for the Mexican fans in the U.S., Cielito Lindo and Pancho Villa’s Army, have announced their decision not to attend the match in Los Angeles: “We could not be in the stands if we cannot all be there. Our only priority above cheering and supporting the team will always be our families and their safety,” reads a message posted on social media by the Cielito Lindo supporters’ group.
The Tri’s journey in the Gold Cup begins on Saturday, June 14, against the Dominican Republic in Los Angeles (California). Four days later, the team will travel to Dallas (Texas) to face Suriname at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Finally, their last group stage commitment will take place on Sunday, June 22, in Houston (Texas), where they will take on Costa Rica.
If they advance to the next round, Mexico would play in the quarterfinals on June 28 or 29 at a date and time to be determined. The semifinals of the Gold Cup will take place on July 2, and the champion will be decided in the final next Sunday, July 6, at 5:00 PM at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.