Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico and Panama have punched their tickets to the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, where they will join four-time world champions USA and Canada in the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™.
The Championship will take place in November-December 2026, and will start straight with the quarter-finals stage. All four semi-finalists will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. The losing quarter-finalists will take part in play-off matches to determine the two teams who will participate in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Six of the 2026 Championship participants featured at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand – Canada, Costa Rica, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama and USA.
Mexico are attempting to reach their first World Cup since 2015, while El Salvador are appearing in the Concacaf W Championship for the first time.
Everything you need to know about the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027
Costa Rica
Las Ticas captured top spot in Group C in impressive fashion, winning all four matches and finishing with a +32 goal differential. The cherry on top of the cake was a 3-0 triumph over Guatemala on the final matchday to cement their W Championship spot. The Central Americans were paced by Priscila Chinchilla, who scored an astounding 12 goals, including seven in a 21-0 takedown of Cayman Islands. Costa Rica will be on the hunt for a second consecutive Women’s World Cup berth and third overall.
El Salvador
El Salvador have reached the W Championship for the first time in their history after marching to a first place finish in Group F. It is an incredible achievement for Las Cuscatlecas, who just eight years ago in qualifying for France 2019 went winless in the first phase of qualifying and finished -15 on goal difference. Coach Eric Acuna has orchestrated this rise and their 2-0 in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday saw them across the line. While midfielder Brenda Ceren stood out with five goals, including a brace against Trinidad and Tobago, it was the defence that did the job in conceding no goals in their three matches.
Haiti
After making their Women’s World Cup debut at Australia & New Zealand 2023, Haiti will be back in the mix for another berth in the global finals as they overcame a stiff challenge from Dominican Republic to reach the W Championship. A 1-1 draw on Friday night with a goal from Sherly Jeudy was enough for Les Grenadieres to edge out the Dominicans in Group D. The islanders are known for their devastating array of attackers spearheaded by the incomparable Melchie Dumornay and Nerilia Mondesir, but it was their defence that came to the fore in this initial phase of qualifying. Haiti yielded just one goal in their four matches.
Jamaica
The Reggae Girlz are back and will take aim at a third successive global finals after they clinched a first place finish in Group B. The Caribbean side showed great character in rallying from a goal down to claim a 3-2 win over Nicaragua in Managua, before a 2-0 victory against Guyana on the final matchday sealed the deal. It comes as no surprise that at the heart of it all was prolific forward Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who finished the qualifying round with nine goals, including a brace in the crucial Nicaragua win.
Mexico
Eager to return to their first Women’s World Cup since Canada 2015 and fourth overall, Mexico fended off a strong challenge from Puerto Rico to lay claim to Group A. The two sides engaged in a showdown on the final matchday and it was El Tricolor taking all the spoils 6-0. Charlyn Corral was as sensational as ever in amassing an eye-popping 13 goals, including seven in a 14-0 demolition of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as was Lizbeth Ovalle with three goals.
Panama
Panama return to the W Championship with their sights set on a second straight appearance in the global finals. Las Canaleras left no doubt in Group E, soaring to four wins from four matches, polishing things off with a 3-0 victory against Cuba on the final matchday. Ericka Arauz had a brace against the Cubans to finish with four goals, while Riley Tanner found the back of the net in each of Panama;s first three encounters.
Photos courtesy of Concacaf; FESFUT; FEDEFUTBOL; JFF
