CHICAGO, USA (CMC) — Caribbean champions Cuba will play Costa Rica on July 9 at the JELD-WEN Field in Portland, Oregon, in their opening match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2013.

Cuba have been drawn in Group C, which also includes Belize and the United States, said CONCACAF in announcing the groups and schedule of the prestigious event on Wednesday.

The Cubans, who celebrated their first Caribbean Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago last December, will also play the United States on July 13 at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City, and Belize on July 16 at Rentschler Field, Connecticut, in their remaining preliminary round games.

Trinidad and Tobago have been drawn in Group B and will kick off their campaign with a match against El Salvador on July 8 at the Red Bull Arena.

The former Caribbean champions will also play Haiti on July 12 at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, and Honduras on July 15 at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.

“We look forward to a successful tournament and an exciting 2013 Gold Cup final on July 28, right here at Soldier Field,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb.

“We also expect yet another competition fuelled by passionate fans brought together in a celebration that will hopefully inspire a whole new generation of players.”

The Rose Bowl in Carlifornia will host the opening double-header on Sunday, July 7, featuring reigning Gold Cup champions Mexico against Panama, with Canada playing Martinique earlier. The Gold Cup, held every two years, has established itself as the region’s most popular national team tournament, drawing capacity crowds and millions of television viewers.