An early opportunity for glory??

Another final defeat and Gareth Southgate departs as England manager. Focus will turn to the Nations League and World Cup qualifying - but could the new manager get an early opportunity to "end 58 years of hurt"?

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is one of the poor relations when it comes to confederation tournaments. The 2025 edition, however, may get a boost with EIGHT invitees from Europe, South America, Africa and Asia to add to the 16 CONCACAF qualifying nations. They basically want a 24 team mini World Cup to prepare for the real thing in 2026.

Obviously the US have just hosted Copa America, with 6 CONCACAF teams involved. It has been a common theme for Copa America to invite teams from across the globe to boost numbers. The hosting has been criticised - not least when Colombian fans and Uruguay players and families came to blows.

Early reports suggest CONCACAF will try and get the best teams possible - which is likely to include an invitation to England.

There are obvious benefits to England for taking up any invite - a dress rehearsal to prepare for the conditions to be faced in 2026. It would give the new manager competition experience, and it could be a good chance to win a trophy! There are also many negatives, not least over-playing - although a shadow squad could be picked. And an early exit could be a major embarrassment and put the new boss under unnecessary pressure.

Personally, I don't see any of the big nations taking up any invite - at least not in terms of their first team. There is also a clash with Nations League play-offs, otherwise I wouldn't mind Ireland taking a place and could see a nation like Norway taking one. With the Irish population in certain parts of the US and the attraction it would pull crowds along with Haaland...

Would you like England - or whatever country you are from - compete in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup?