Panama to host 2017 Central American Cup

The 14th edition of the Central American Cup (Copa Centroamericana) will be played in Panama, it was announced Friday by the Central American Football Union (UNCAF).

The competition, which is also the region’s qualifying event for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, will be played January 17-28, 2017.

It will be the third time that Central America’s southern-most nation serves as host after doing so in 2003 and 2011.

The Central American Cup returns to Central America after last being contested in four cities throughout the United States in 2014.

Costa Rica is the defending champion and has lifted the trophy a record eight times.