CONCACAF’s third round World Cup Qualifying groups have officially been decided.
The final 12 nations have been paired together for the final round of World Cup Qualifying following Thursday’s draw. Costa Rica-Honduras and Jamaica-Curacao headline the intriguing matchups which are slated to take place.
The 12 qualifying nations were divided into three groups of four teams during Thursday’s draw at CONCACAF headquarters. Third-round qualifying will see each team play home-and-away series with each team in its group, with the first place finishers qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The best two of three runners-up teams will advance to the Inter-Confederation Playoffs, and will be joined by one team from each of the following federations; AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC.
The FIFA Inter-Confederation Playoffs are set to take place in March 2026 between the six playoff nations.
Here are CONCACAF’s third round World Cup Qualifying groups:
Group A: Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Suriname.
Group B: Jamaica, Curacao, Trinidad & Tobago, Bermuda.
Group C: Costa Rica, Honduras, Haiti, Nicaragua.
Group B will be decided by how many dual nats those countries can secure.
JR,
Mason Greenwood has already switched to Jamaica. That should sway a lot of undecideds.
This would be their best ever chance to get back to the World Cup.
Curaçao really pushing for some switches but couldn’t convince Justin Kluivert who would have been big for them. Sadly they weren’t able to convince the Timber twins either, but they did get their older less talented brother. I’m sure there are a bunch of other Netherlands players who are eligible. Would bet there are a few English players eligible for Bermuda. Not sure why Junior Firpo didn’t play for Dominican Republic this window had they beat Guatemala they would have qualified for the final round.
JR,
In theory, Jamaica has a more structured stabile core.
That is very much only in theory. Usually they have some drama going on somewhere. you’d think they were Dutch. I’d love to see them get in because I have always wanted to see what a well coached, stable Jamaican side with the players acting halfway normal, looks like.
Maybe these guys are it.