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Shell Energy Stadium will host a trio of group-stage doubleheaders, starting Thursday night. The women’s national teams competing in Houston are Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Paraguay.
Houston is helping to make women’s soccer history.
The inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup, a 12-team tournament featuring the top national squads from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, kicked off Saturday and concludes March 10. Most of the games are being held in Southern California, in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas, while Houston is hosting a total of six group-stage matches during the next week at Shell Energy Stadium, starting with a Thursday night doubleheader.
The men’s version of the Gold Cup has been held every other year since 1991.
“I think it says a lot that CONCACAF is ready to have this inaugural year and women’s soccer has come such a long way to be able to put this forward,” said Harris County-Houston Sports Authority CEO Janis Burke, whose organization is helping to organize the local matches. “And then for us to host, how exciting is that?”
Tickets are available for as little as $15 per match for the games being played in Houston, which is hosting Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Paraguay in Group C. Even with that price point, Burke acknowledged that it’s “going to take some work” to attract large crowds, partly because the event is new and local sports fans might not yet be aware of it.
Costa Rica and Paraguay are kicking off the local matches at 5:15 p.m. Thursday at Shell Energy Stadium, followed by Canada vs. El Salvador at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, Paraguay and Canada square off at 4 p.m., followed by a match between El Salvador and Costa Rica at 7 p.m. The final Group C matches are scheduled for next Wednesday when Canada and Costa Rica play at 5 p.m. and Paraguay takes on El Salvador at 8 p.m.
“I hope that all Houston fans, soccer fans, will come out and support these women,” Burke said. “This is the highest level of soccer being played.”
The top two teams in each of the three groups, along with the two best third-place finishers, advance to the knockout rounds, all of which will be held in California. The United States is in Group A, which is playing its matches in the L.A. area, and opened the tournament Tuesday with a 5-0 win against the Dominican Republic.
Burke called it “very special” that the first women’s Gold Cup is being held partly in Houston, home to the Dynamo of Major League Soccer and the Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League. The city also will host three matches during the Copa America men’s tournament in June and July – two group-stage games as well as a quarterfinal.
The FIFA World Cup will come to town in 2026 when Houston has been tabbed to host five group-stage matches and two knockout-round games.
“We’re a big soccer town,” Burke said, “and we want to embrace the world and show them what a welcoming city we are.”
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