Why is Saudi Arabia in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup? History of guest teams explained

In a tournament shaped by fierce regional rivalries, the presence of Saudi Arabia in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup raises more than a few eyebrows. It’s not a glitch—it’s part of a deliberate and evolving strategy.

Guest teams have long been a curious subplot in the history of the CONCACAF popular event, occasionally shifting the tournament’s competitive tone. Some arrived as continental champions, others as political or commercial partners.

This year’s inclusion echoes past moves but carries new weight. With soccer diplomacy, global reach and competitive experimentation at play, the team’s invitation speaks to a wider agenda—one rooted in precedent.

Why is Saudi Arabia playing in the 2025 Gold Cup?

Saudi Arabia will make history as the first non-CONCACAF nation invited under the confederation’s renewed guest‑team policy, formalized in December 2024. The team’s participation marks a deliberate expansion.

The invitation follows a strategic memorandum of understanding between CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, signaling increased cooperation in development, commercial partnerships and shared expertise.

Their inclusion reflects both sporting ambition and broader geopolitical influence, coinciding with its preparation to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and bolstered by partnerships with state-affiliated entities like the Public Investment Fund, Aramco and Riyadh Air.

The Kingdom’s presence in Group D—alongside the U.S., Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago—underscores the pursuit of higher competition, commercial reach and soccer diplomacy. With Qatar’s strong showings as precedent, Saudi Arabia arrives not as a ceremonial guest but as a legitimate contender.