Pluggable connector including a connector housing having a leading end. The connector housing includes interior sidewalls that define a receiving space and an opening to the receiving space at the leading end. The pluggable connector also includes a contact array of electrical contacts disposed in the receiving space. The contact array is configured to engage corresponding electrical contacts of a mating connector. The pluggable connector also includes an inner electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket that is coupled to the interior sidewalls and surrounds a portion of the interior space about the central axis. The connector housing is configured to receive the mating connector through the opening and into the receiving space when the connector housing is moved in a mating direction along the central axis. The inner EMI gasket engages the mating connector in the receiving space to electrically couple the mating connector to the connector housing.