Costa Rica and Honduras faced off at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, each hoping to secure either direct qualification or a playoff spot for the 2026 WorldCup. However, neither side could find a breakthrough, and the scoreless result ensured both teams were eliminated from the qualification race.
The pre-match scenario was complex. Costa Rica needed a victory and had to surpass rivals in the other groups on goal differential to secure a spot in the play-offs. Honduras, meanwhile, were hoping to secure the final playoff place.
However, little action occurred in the Estadio Nacional, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw, that proved fatal for Honduras. Suriname ultimately claimed the final playoff spot, finishing with the same point total as Honduras, but securing the advantage based on having scored nine goals throughout the qualifiers compared to only five from Honduras.
In the final reckoning, Panama, Curacao, and Haiti achieved direct qualification, while Suriname and Jamaica earned the right to contest the play-offs for a chance to enter the prestigious tournament.
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Thanks for joining us!
Costa Rica and Honduras drew goalless 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!
END OF THE GAME! (0-0)
Costa Rica and Honduras end the game goalless at Estadio Nacional!
90'+4- Red card for Costa Rica (0-0)
Ugalde received a red card.
82'- Great save from Menjivar! (0-0)
After a great cross from Campbell, Watson deflected the ball with a header but Menjivar was there to save it!
78'- Two changes for Costa Rica (0-0)
Haxzel Quiros and Orlando Galo leave the field to make way for Joel Cambpell and Alexis Gamboa.
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75'- Three changes for Honduras (0-0)
Jorge Alvarez, Romell Quioto and Yustin Arboleda leave the field to make way for Carlos Pineda, Marlon Ramirez and Jorge Benguche
74'- The second half lacks of action (0-0)
Unlike the first half, there has been little action so far, and with this result, combined with the scores in the other matches, both Costa Rica and Honduras are currently being eliminated.
68'- Yellow card for Honduras (0-0)
Kenneth Vargas received a yellow card.
64'- Two substitutions for Costa Rica (0-0)
Warren Madrigal and Aaron Murillo leave the field to make way for Anthony Hernnadez and Alejandro Bran.
63'- Yellow card for Honduras (0-0)
Yustin Arboleda received a yellow card.
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58'- First change for Honduras (0-0)
Luis Palma leaves the field to make way for Dereck Moncada.
57'- First change of the match for Costa Rica (0-0)
Alvaro Zamora leaves the field to make way for Kenneth Vargas.
Honduras want to make history tonight
Honduras are searching for a crucial win, which would mark their first victory at the Estadio Nacional against Costa Rica and secure their return to the World Cup since 2014.
The second half is underway!
The game is on again!
End of the first half!
The first half between Costa Rica and Honduras ends goalless.
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46'- What a save by Navas!! (0-0)
Najar almost scored the first goal of the game, but former Real Madrid star Navas made an incredible save!
39'- Honduras are getting closer to the first goal! (0-0)
Andy Najar unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box but the ball went wide from Navas' goal!
38'- First yellow card of the game (0-0)
Francisco Calvo of Costa Rica received the first yellow card at Estadio Nacional.
35'- Honduras generate more offense than Costa Rica (0-0)
Up to this point, the visiting team has taken the initiative in the match and is creating more opportunities toward the opponent's goal.
25'- Costa Rica respond! (0-0)
Ugalde fired a shot from outside the box, but Menjivar saved the attempt without any trouble.
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23'- Honduras with the first chance! (0-0)
Palma unleashed a powerful shot that came very close to Keylor Navas's post!
Haiti score in the other group match!
Haiti are defeating Nicaragua 1-0, and, for the moment, this result secures them direct qualification, leaving Honduras in second place and Costa Rica out of the World Cup race.
7'- A quiet start (0-0)
A contested start at the Estadio Nacional, where neither team wants to commit an error that could cost them qualification.
GAME ON!
Costa Rica and Honduras have kicked off the Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifier game!
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.
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Honduras' confirmed lineup!
Edrick Menjivar; Andy Najar, Marcelo Santos, Luis Vega, Joseph Rosales; Kervin Arriaga, Deiby Flores; Romell Quioto, Jorge Alvarez, Luis Palma; Yustin Arboleda.
1️⃣1️⃣Así sale a la cancha nuestra H 🇭🇳
Este es el once inicial para la ultima batalla, bajo la dirección del profe Reinaldo Rueda. 💪🇭🇳⚽
Group C is currently led by Honduras (8 points), followed by Haiti (8 points), Costa Rica (6 points), and Nicaragua sit in last place (4 points).
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.
Today’s referee
Canadian referee Drew Fischer has been appointed to officiate the Concacaf 2026 World Cup Qualifiers between Costa Rica and Honduras.
The full officiating team for today's game:
Referee: Drew Fischer (CAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Micheal Barwegen (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Lyes Arfa (CAN)
Fourth Official: Pierre-Luc Lauziere (CAN)
VAR: Armando Villarreal (USA)
VAR Assistant: Víctor Rivas (USA)
Kick off time and where to watch
The clash between Costa Rica and Honduras will kick off at 8:00 PM (ET).
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, bringing his expertise in soccer, NBA, and tennis to deliver original content while providing live coverage of important events.
