| EFE |
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| Reinaldo Rueda. |
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Along with Colombia and Panama, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras will start play in Group A. The two best teams from the group will advance to the quarterfinals.
The Gold Cup is the most important tournament staged by CONCACAF, the soccer confederation of North and Central America and the Caribbean. The 2006 event includes 12 national teams, plus guests Colombia and South Africa.
The president of CONCACAF, Jack Warner, held a press conference in Miami Tuesday along with the four Group A coaches to talk about the important role the Gold Cup has played in helping soccer develop in the region.
"Since its inception in 1991," Warner said of the Gold Cup tourney, "it has given our many nations increased opportunity for serious competition, higher standards of play and thus, apart from the pride that comes with being among the best in our region, far better preparation for going out into the wide world and showing off our abilities in the FIFA World Cup and other world competitions."
Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda said the team he brought to Miami did not have much international experience because it featured many young players, but he said the squad would be competitive.
His Panamanian counterpart, Jose Hernandez, said Colombia had better technique, but his players had improved drastically and were in top condition.
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