Overview

• Sunday’s final at NRG Stadium marks the eighth Gold Cup decider between the U.S. and Mexico, with El Tri leading their series 5–2 in previous meetings
• As co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, both nations skipped qualifying and view this match as their only competitive test before next summer’s tournament
• Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT has relied on MLS-based emerging talents, highlighted by Mexican-American forward Diego Luna’s two goals in the semifinal
• Key absences of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna have turned this final into a critical assessment of U.S. squad depth
• Mexico reached the title match without conceding, and coach Javier Aguirre says winning would validate the team’s cohesion and preparation
• A near-sellout crowd of 72,220 at Houston’s NRG Stadium is expected to overwhelmingly support Mexico, posing a partisan atmosphere on U.S. home soil