TT may face Montserrat in Gold Cup prelims

Trinidad and Tobago may face Montserrat in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup first stage preliminary round, scheduled for next July, following the official draw in Miami, Florida, US on Monday evening.

TT were included in the draw, despite its suspension from FIFA, football's global governing body, on Thursday for violating FIFA statutes. However, TT can participate in the Gold Cup prelims once their suspension is lifted by FIFA by 5 pm (TT time) on December 18. If the suspension is not lifted, then Antigua/Barbuda will replace TT in the preliminary round.

Matches in the preliminary round will take place in the US. The other first stage preliminary round games are Haiti versus St Vincent/Grenadines, Bermuda versus Barbados, Guatemala versus Guyana, Guadeloupe versus Bahamas and Cuba versus French Guiana.

The second stage preliminary round games are – winners of the Haiti-St Vincent/Grenadines and Bermuda/Barbados ties; winners of the Guatemala/Guyana and Guadeloupe/Bahamas ties; and winners of the TT or Antigua/Barbuda/Montserrat and Cuba/French Guiana ties.

The winners of the second stage will advance to the 16-team Gold Cup.