It is getting down to crunch time in the Concacaf qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26™. A pivotal October window awaits in which group leaders Suriname, Jamaica and Honduras will be out to maintain their grip on their respective top spots.
There is extra incentive as well for both the Reggae Boyz and Catrachos, as a pair of wins in the window, combined with draws elsewhere in the group, would see them qualify for next year’s global showpiece with two matches to spare. However, they will face stiff challenges from all around, including the likes of Bermuda, Nicaragua and Guatemala, who are all looking to rise from the basement and kick-start their campaigns with victories.
Here is a look at matchdays three and four in the third round of Concacaf qualifying.
Group A
No matter what happens this month, this is the only group of the three that will for sure go into the November window with the automatic qualifier not yet decided. Suriname were the revelation last month by battling to a draw with Panama and then earning a 2-1 win at El Salvador.
They first will have to contend with a Guatemala side whose backs are against the wall. Led by dangerman Oscar Santos, Los Chapines simply cannot afford to drop any more points in their visit to Paramaribo. Panama were seen as favourites going into this final stage, but they have been left frustrated by a pair of draws and now have to contend with a trip to the historic Estadio Cuscatlan in El Salvador. Jose Fajardo has a knack for scoring big goals for the Canaleros and will be needed in a big way in front of a hostile crowd.
To close the window, Panama and Suriname will renew acquaintances, this time in Panama City. Suriname have already shown that they are unfazed by playing away in Central America after winning in San Salvador where Sheraldo Becker tormented La Selecta with his blistering pace down the right wing. Guatemala would like nothing more than to avenge their opening home loss to El Salvador by turning the tables in the Cuscatlan, but they will have to contend with a hungry Brayan Gil, who is still seeking his first goal in this qualifying round.
Group B
Jamaica were the only team that won twice in the September window and that has given them a firm hold on their group. In fact, the Reggae Boyz could clinch World Cup qualification with a pair of wins and draws everywhere else.
Facing second place Curaçao away to open the window stands as their toughest test, but thus far head coach Steve McClaren is getting contributions from everywhere in a show of his squad’s depth. Tahith Chong bagged a brace and added an assist in the 3-2 win over Bermuda but will be unavailable for the Blue Wave due to injury. Bermuda are the only side to have yet to earn a point, so if the Gombey Warriors are to have any shot, they must take down visiting Trinidad and Tobago, who are still searching for their first goal.
Jamaica wrap up the window at home against Bermuda, who they convincingly defeated in their opener 4-0, while Dick Advocaat’s men get a second straight home date with Trinidad and Tobago going to Willemstad. The last time these two sides met in Curaçao in a 2023 Nations League tilt, they produced an eight-goal thriller in a 5-3 win for the home side.
Group C
In a lot of ways, Costa Rica are experiencing the same situation as Panama at present. Many fancied the Ticos to claim the top spot in the group, but thus far they have been held to just a pair of draws, hindering their pursuit of a fourth consecutive World Cup.
That all sets the stage for a showdown against Honduras to open the window. The Catrachos are also a side that could clinch qualification in October with a pair of wins and draws in the rest of the group. Honduras and Costa Rica have faced each other countless times in all competitions, but you have to go back to qualifying for Brazil 2014 to find the last time Honduras triumphed over the Ticos on home soil. Strikers at opposite ends of their careers in Honduras veteran Romell Quioto and Costa Rica youngster Manfred Ugalde headline this one.
Duckens Nazon was the name on everyone’s lips at the conclusion of the September window following his second half hat-trick in Haiti’s 3-3 draw at Costa Rica. It was just another example of the potency possessed by Les Grenadiers, as once their attack gets rolling, it’s nearly impossible to stop. They next head to Managua to face Nicaragua, who played with an enormous spirit in their home opener against Costa Rica.
Haiti then take their road show to Honduras to finish the window in what could be a clinching moment for the hosts. Meanwhile, Costa Rica have held leads in both of their matches thus far only to let them slip away. While coughing up a two-goal advantage against Haiti was painful, perhaps stinging more was being up a man and a goal in the second half at Nicaragua and not getting full points. Costa Rica welcome in the Pinoleros on matchday four knowing that anything short of a victory would be a massive disappointment.
Photos courtesy of Jamaican Football Federation, Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
