U.S. to face Canada, Cuba in CONCACAF Nations League

[March 28, 2019]    Wednesday’s draw for the inaugural Nations League organized by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

Team United States pose for a photo before a game against Brazil in a She Believes Cup women's soccer match at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

The region's top-ranked side Mexico will play Panama and Bermuda, Costa Rica face Haiti and Curacao, and Honduras were drawn alongside Trinidad and Tobago and Martinique in the other League A groups.

The competition, similar to that started by UEFA in 2018 and aimed at cutting down on meaningless friendlies, is part of a broad makeover by a confederation seeking to win back confidence of fans after it was ravaged by the FIFA corruption scandal.

At a gala ceremony in Las Vegas on Wednesday, CONCACAF’s 41 teams were drawn into three leagues, with the winners of the four League A groups competing for the Nations League title.

The top four sides in Leagues B and C will be promoted and the bottom four in A and B relegated for the next edition.

The group matches will be played in September, October and November 2019, with the finals taking place the following year.

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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