The September 2025 worldwide window is upon us and it’s time to start out eager about who will e-book their locations this fall for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At present, 10 groups have certified alongside co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the US. We now see who will fill out the remainder of the 48 spots in subsequent summer season’s match.
Concacaf’s World Cup qualifying feels as open because it has been in a really very long time. That could possibly be as a result of the US, Mexico, and Canada have already certified as co-hosts and aren’t taking part in qualifying matches. Some groups are in all probability excited on the prospect of getting a crack at World Cup qualifying with out a type of groups coming alongside to spoil their plans. Additionally, earlier than this World Cup, Concacaf was capped at 3 direct locations, with one group going to an inter-confederation playoff. Now, it’s a complete of 6 groups, with two headed to the inter-confederation playoffs. With the host nations taking over three of these spots, that also leaves a large open area to compete for the opposite three locations.
The World Cup qualifying area that started in March 2024 with 32 groups has been narrowed to 12. These 12 groups will compete in 3 teams, and the three group winners will earn Concacaf’s closing spots within the 2026 World Cup. The most effective two group runners-up will transfer on to compete within the inter-confederation playoffs, as Concacaf is the one confederation that may ship two groups to the playoff. In whole, Concacaf might have as many as eight groups within the area of 48 at a World Cup happening throughout North America.
The three teams for Concacaf’s Third Spherical of World Cup qualifying:
A – Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Suriname
B – Jamaica, Curaçao, Trinidad & Tobago, Bermuda
C – Costa Rica, Honduras, Haiti, Nicaragua
Within the September window, Panama versus Guatemala on September eighth might give one group the sting in Group A. Jamaica will face Trinidad & Tobago and Costa Rica will compete in opposition to Haiti on September ninth in matches that might dictate how Teams B and C form up. In October, Honduras-Costa Rica can be a monster, whereas Curaçao will get their crack on the Reggae Boyz. Lastly, Guatemala-Panama on November thirteenth might determine Group A and who will get to the World Cup, whereas Costa Rica-Honduras might do the identical in Group C.
Groups with greatest likelihood to qualify
In Group A, it’s a toss-up between Panama and Guatemala. Panama has the sting, however Guatemala has been taking part in nicely these days and can be a troublesome out. Jamaica has the most effective likelihood in Group B, hoping to qualify for his or her second World Cup ever and first since 1998. In Group C, Costa Rica and Honduras would be the groups that doubtless battle it out.
El Salvador could possibly be in bother in Group A with Panama and Guatemala additionally there, whereas the loser of Honduras-Costa Rica in October could possibly be a group that will must try to qualify by way of the inter-confederation playoff. Trinidad & Tobago will doubtless must seize some outcomes in opposition to Curaçao to keep away from being the group in third place. And, with solely two of the second place groups advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs, attracts might actually harm groups like Guatemala, Honduras, or Haiti in the event that they wish to give themselves an opportunity to maintain hope alive by way of the inter-confederation playoffs.
