There will be no shortage of plots and subplots when it comes to Canada’s group-stage games at this year’s Gold Cup.

On Wednesday evening, Canadians learned who the men’s national side will play — and coach John Herdman’s laundry list includes a revenge game against a federation that isn’t a FIFA-recognized nation, a game against CONCACAF’s best, and a third wild card game.

Canada will also play in three different time zones over the course of just over a week.

It is, by any standard, a brutal schedule. Canada faces Martinique on June 15 at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl. But, just four days later, Canada will need to be in Denver, and its mile-high altitude, to face a Mexican side that only gets scarier when it plays in thin air.

Denver is 5,200 ft. above sea level. Mexico City is higher than that, by about 2,000 feet. For many of the Canadian players, despite the kind of sports-science devotee Herdman is, going from L.A. to Denver will require a brutal adjustment process. For the Mexicans, a summery day in Denver is, well, a little easier than a home game.

Canada finishes the group stage June 23 against Cuba in Charlotte, North Carolina. In summary, Group A at this year’s Gold Cup is tasked with featuring on opposite coasts.

There is no doubt Herdman will need to rotate his squad. Three games in eight days — with one at altitude — is a big ask. So, the question: Will he start the “A” squad — with the likes of Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Scott Arfield — against Martinique and Cuba? After all, six points out of nine would be plenty. Or, will he save the top players for the game a mile high against Mexico, and hope more of the depth players can fare well against the Caribbean countries?

Or, does he split up the “A” selection and use Davies and David in different lineups, perhaps?

Martinique beat Canada 1-0 six years ago. At the Rose Bowl, no less. Fabrice Reuperne scored on a last-ditch wonder strike but, to be fair, Martinique was dangerous throughout the match.

Yes, this Canadian side is far different. It’s hard to compare the side of 2013, which didn’t score at that Gold Cup, to the team of today. But, it’s hard to argue that this might be the most brutal schedule Canada has ever drawn at a Gold Cup. The team will be travelling more than 3,400 km over eight days, with three games and training sessions.

As always, Mexico will be a massive challenge for Canada. In 2016, the Canadians hosted Mexico in a World Cup qualifier at BC Place. They thought the turf field would throw off the visitors. The open roof should have chilled them. And Canada surprised pretty well everyone in the building by trying to push the game down the wings.

But that’s the Mexican strength, and fullback Miguel Layun and winger Hirving Lozano rose to the challenge in a 3-0 win that dashed Canada’s 2018 World Cup hopes.

Now, in Denver, it will be grass — but the challenge will be that much greater given the elevation.