Haiti, Curaçao, and Panama Celebrate Their Historic Qualification Achievement

On a a pivotal night for the CONCACAF zone, three nations secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup: Haiti, Curaçao, and Panama. The Haitian team achieved a remarkable feat by defeating Nicaragua 2-0 and capitalizing on the goalless draw between Costa Rica and Honduras to finish first in a competitive Group C. Haiti, which last participated in the World Cup in 1974, has rekindled a dream that has lingered for fifty years. In Group B, Curaçao secured its first-ever World Cup qualification by earning the single point needed in a draw against Jamaica (0-0), marking a historic moment for the Caribbean island. Meanwhile, Panama clinched a key victory over El Salvador (3-0) and benefited from Suriname’s slip-up against Guatemala (3-1) to take the top spot in Group A, marking their second World Cup appearance after 2018.

The intercontinental playoffs will feature an unexpected lineup, with Suriname and Jamaica, both previously close to direct qualification, now facing a final hurdle. Suriname, a surprise of these qualifiers, saw their dream dissipate in the dying minutes of their match against Guatemala, paving the way for Panama. Jamaica narrowly missed out, finishing just behind Curaçao in a home match that weighed heavily. These two nations will now face the DRC, Bolivia, New Caledonia, and Iraq in intercontinental playoffs in a last effort to join Haiti, Curaçao, and Panama at the 2026 World Cup.