world cup qualifiers

Nicaragua upset Honduras with a 2-0 win at the Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Honduras fell 2-0 to Nicaragua in the Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, meaning everything will now be decided in the final match of the group stage.

Updated on November 14, 2025 09:44AM EDT

**© @LaAzulyBlanco**Bancy Hernandez celebrates a goal against Honduras.

Honduras fell 2-0 to group underdog Nicaragua in the Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, denying the visiting team the opportunity to secure direct qualification tonight.

Before the match began, Honduras were the clear favorites to secure the victory, entering as group leaders against a Nicaragua squad that sat at the bottom of the table with only one point.

However, the home team struck early, scoring in the 11th minute with a great goal from Bancy Hernandez that threw the Honduran teams off balance. The visitors pushed for an equalizer in the second half, but Jaime Moreno scored the second goal in the 82nd minute, sealing the match.

This defeat is a harsh blow for Honduras, who arrived at the contest with a chance to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup but failed to capitalize. Their destiny will now be determined in their final group match when they visit Costa Rica on November 18th.

For Nicaragua, despite securing a valuable victory, the squad managed by Marco Antonio Figueroa have officially been eliminated from the race for 2026 World Cup qualification. Following Haiti’s victory over Costa Rica in a parallel match, Nicaragua no longer have a chance to qualify, even as one of the best second-place teams.

11:58PM

Thanks for joining us!

Nicaragua defeated Honduras 2-0 in Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at Estadio Nacional and you lived every moment of this game here.

Thanks for staying with us, see you next time!

11:57PM

END OF THE GAME! (2-0)

Nicaragua secured a 2-0 win over Honduras at Estadio Nacional!

11:49PM

88'- Honduras nearly score a spectacular goal! (2-0)

Ramirez almost secured a goal back with a bicycle kick inside the Nicaragua box, but Lopez managed to block the shot!

11:44PM

81'- GOOOOAAAAAL FOR NICARAGUA!!! (2-0)

Jaime Moreno extends the lead for Nicaragua!!!!

11:37PM

75'- Yellow card for Honduras (1-0)

Ramirez receives a yellow card.

11:36PM

74'- Substitution for Nicaragua (1-0)

Josue Quijano leaves the field to make way for Junior Delgado.

11:34PM

72'- Three substitutions for Honduras (1-0)

Kervin Arriaga, Romell Quioto, and Getsel Montes leave the field to make way for Devron Garcia, Dereck Moncada, and Jorge Alvarez.

11:33PM

71'- Two substittuons for Nicaragua (1-0)

Bancy Hernandez and Ariel Arauz leave the field to make way for Byron Bonilla and Marlon Lopez.

11:25PM

64'- Yellow card for Honduras (1-0)

Getsel Montes of Honduras receives a yellow card.

11:23PM

61'- First substitution of the game (1-0)

Jorge Benguche leaves the field to make way for Marlon Ramirez.

11:19PM

57'- Honduras with another shot off target

Arteaga fired a powerful shot from outside the box that sailed high over Lopez's crossbar.

11:17PM

55'- First yellow card of the game (1-0)

Velasquez of Nicaragua receives the first yellow card of the game.

11:14PM

52'- Nicaragua miss out on the second goal! (1-0)

Arauz unleashed a strong shot that glanced just wide of Menjivar's right post.

11:11PM

49'- Clear chance for Honduras! (1-0)

This time it was Benguche who unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which Lopez saved brilliantly. Honduras are close to equalize the score!

11:09PM

47'- Honduras are looking for the equalizer (1-0)

The visiting side came out determined to find the equalizing goal, and Quioto immediately had a chance, although his shot was not dangerous.

11:07PM

The second half is underway! (1-0)

The game is on again!

10:52PM

End of the first half!

Nicaragua finished the first half of the game winning 1-0 against Honduras

10:45PM

39'- Nicaragua dominate the game (1-0)

Despite Honduras pushing hard to find the equalizer, Nicaragua are proving superior, leading the shot count with eight attempts compared to only two from their rivals, with ball possession evenly split at 50% for each side.

10:34PM

28'- Hernandez misses a huge chance! (1-0)

Bancy Hernandez came very close to scoring his second goal of the match, but his strike from inside the box went just over the crossbar.

10:32PM

25'- Honduras qualification must wait (1-0)

If Honduras win this match and Costa Rica draw against Haiti, the Honduran team would secure its ticket to the 2026 World Cup. However, with this result, they will have to wait until their final match against Costa Rica on the road to secure qualification.

10:18PM

11'- GOAAAAAAL FOR NICARAGUA! (1-0)

Bancy Hernandez scores the first goal of the game!!!

10:17PM

10'- Honduras nearly score the opener!

Following a superb cross into the box, Quioto struck the ball from inside the area, but his shot sailed just over the crossbar.

10:14PM

8'- A quiet start (0-0)

So far, nothing significant has occurred in the match apart from a long-range shot from Juan Barrera that sailed over the goal.

10:06PM

GAME ON!

Nicaragua and Guatemala have kicked off the Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifier game!

10:01PM

Players are on the pitch!

Players from both countries are on the pitch for the national anthems. Everything is ready for the start of the match.

09:33PM

Confirmed lineup for Nicaragua!

This is Nicaragua's starting team for tonight:

Alyer Lopez; Justing Cano, Henry Niño, Anyelo Velasquez; Josue Quijano, Ariel Arauz, Jason Coronel, Junior Arteaga; Jaime Moreno; Juan Barrera, Bancy Hernandez.

09:29PM

Confirmed lineup for Honduras!

This will be Honduras' starting XI for tonight: Edrick Menjivar; Andy Najar, Luis Vega, Getsel Montes, Joseph Rosales; Deiby Flores, Kervin Arriaga, Luis Palma, Romell Quioto; Alexy Vega, Jorge Benguche.

09:20PM

Group C standings

Group C is currently led by Honduras (8 points), followed by Costa Rica (6 points), Haiti (5 points), and Nicaragua sit in last place (1 point).

The first-place teams in each group (A, B, and C) will secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup, while the two best second-place teams across the three groups will advance to the play-offs for a chance to enter the world’s most prestigious tournament.

09:00PM

Track record between Nicaragua and Honduras

Nicaragua and Honduras have faced each other 21 times in their history, with Honduras holding a commanding historical dominance. Honduras have secured 18 victories, while Nicaragua have only managed one historical triumph, along with two draws.

08:40PM

Today’s referee

American referee Ismail Elfath has been appointed to officiate the Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifiers between Nicaragua and Honduras.

The full officiating team for today's game:

Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins (USA)
Fourth Official: Adonai Escobedo (MEX)
VAR: Chris Penso (USA)
VAR Assistant: Tristley Jansen Bassue (CAN)

08:20PM

Kick off time and where to watch

The clash between Nicaragua and Honduras will kick off at 9:00 PM (ET).

Fubo will be the option to watch Nicaragua vs Honduras in the USA. Other options are: Paramount+, Universo and Telemundo.

08:00PM

Nicaragua and Honduras clash in Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Welcome to our live coverage of the Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, where Nicaragua face Honduras!

The match is set to take place at Estadio Nacional in Nicaragua in a crucial match for both teams.

Stay with us for live, minute-by-minute updates — you won’t want to miss a single moment of this exciting matchup!

Gianni Taina

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