The 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers are a short, high-stakes sprint this cycle — and because the United States, Mexico, and Canada are hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the region’s qualifying picture looks different and extra-important for US audiences. If you want to know how CONCACAF will fill its remaining World Cup 2026 Qualification slots,
Find out which teams made it to the final round and the key fixtures to mark on your calendar—this guide breaks it all down in plain English.
2026 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers – Qualification Process
With Canada, Mexico, and the United States already in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals as hosts, CONCACAF’s qualification system decides the remaining regional places.
The 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers guide teams through a three-stage process, culminating in a final round featuring 12 teams divided into three groups of four. The group winners secure direct qualification for the World Cup, while the two best runners-up advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
The final round is a home-and-away format with each team playing six matches across three FIFA windows.
The second round finished in mid-2025, and CONCACAF’s twelve teams for the third/final round are set.
The teams drawn into three groups of four are: Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, Curaçao, Suriname, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Haiti, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, and Bermuda – these nations will battle across the Sept–Nov 2025 windows for the three direct spots and the two play-off places.
Why US viewers should care
- More CONCACAF drama at home in 2026. Because the U.S. is a host, fans will see at least the region’s direct qualifiers — and the finalists who win their way in will play some World Cup matches in U.S. stadiums. That raises the stakes for every CONCACAF qualifier you watch now.
- Quick, intense windows. Unlike long double-round leagues, this final round is compact — three windows, six matches — which means a single result can swing a group and create big headlines that travel well on U.S. broadcasts.
- Storylines that cross into MLS and U.S. media. Many players who shine in these games are already known to U.S. fans (MLS stars, former MLS players, and European-based names), so these qualifiers double as scouting and talking-point content for American audiences.
Key match windows
September, October, November 2025: The three FIFA match windows when the final round’s six fixtures per team will be played — expect decisive, headline-making fixtures across those months.
Current CONCACAF FIFA World Cup Standings (August 2025)
Upcoming 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Schedule
| Date | Fixture — Group — Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday 06 September 2025 | Bermuda vs Jamaica — Group B — 03:30 |
| Saturday 06 September 2025 | Trinidad and Tobago vs Curaçao — Group B — 05:30 |
| Saturday 06 September 2025 | Haiti vs Honduras — Group C — 05:30 |
| Saturday 06 September 2025 | Nicaragua vs Costa Rica — Group C — 07:30 |
| Tuesday 09 September 2025 | El Salvador vs Suriname — Group A — 06:00 |
| Tuesday 09 September 2025 | Panama vs Guatemala — Group A — 07:00 |
| Wednesday 10 September 2025 | Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago — Group B — 05:30 |
| Wednesday 10 September 2025 | Curaçao vs Bermuda — Group B — 05:30 |
| Wednesday 10 September 2025 | Costa Rica vs Haiti — Group C — 07:30 |
| Wednesday 10 September 2025 | Honduras vs Nicaragua — Group C — 07:30 |
| Thursday 09 October 2025 | Honduras vs Costa Rica — Group C — TBC |
| Thursday 09 October 2025 | Nicaragua vs Haiti — Group C — TBC |
| Friday 10 October 2025 | Bermuda vs Trinidad and Tobago — Group B — TBC |
| Friday 10 October 2025 | Curaçao vs Jamaica — Group B — TBC |
| Friday 10 October 2025 | Suriname vs Guatemala — Group A — TBC |
| Friday 10 October 2025 | El Salvador vs Panama — Group A — TBC |
| Monday 13 October 2025 | Costa Rica vs Nicaragua — Group C — TBC |
| Monday 13 October 2025 | Honduras vs Haiti — Group C — TBC |
| Tuesday 14 October 2025 | El Salvador vs Guatemala — Group A — TBC |
| Tuesday 14 October 2025 | Panama vs Suriname — Group A — TBC |
| Tuesday 14 October 2025 | Jamaica vs Bermuda — Group B — TBC |
| Tuesday 14 October 2025 | Curaçao vs Trinidad and Tobago — Group B — TBC |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica — Group B — TBC |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | Guatemala vs Panama — Group A — TBC |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | Bermuda vs Curaçao — Group B — TBC |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | Nicaragua vs Honduras — Group C — TBC |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | Suriname vs El Salvador — Group A — TBC |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | Haiti vs Costa Rica — Group C — TBC |
| Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Costa Rica vs Honduras — Group C — TBC |
| Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Haiti vs Nicaragua — Group C — TBC |
| Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Panama vs El Salvador — Group A — TBC |
| Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Guatemala vs Suriname — Group A — TBC |
| Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Trinidad and Tobago vs Bermuda — Group B — TBC |
| Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Jamaica vs Curaçao — Group B — TBC |
Players and storylines to watch in 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers
- Veteran leaders: Look for experienced campaigners from Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras who tend to show up in big moments.
- Breakout opportunities: Smaller nations like Curaçao, Suriname and Bermuda have been improving and can produce surprise results — great previews for international transfer stories and MLS interest.
- Play-off race drama: The fight for the two runner-up play-off spots usually generates tense finishes and last-minute heroics — perfect TV drama for U.S. audiences.
Key Player to Watch
- Aníbal Godoy
- Keylor Navas
- Alberth Elis
- Michail Antonio
- Leandro Bacuna
- Sheraldo Becker
- Duckens Nazon
- Rubio Rubin
- Juan Barrera
- Darwin Cerén
- Kevin Molino
- Nahki Wells
Where to watch the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers in the USA
Rights and platforms can change by window, so check the official CONCACAF and broadcaster schedules before each matchday.
Key CONCACAF fixtures are typically available on major US sports networks and streaming platforms, with match times conveniently scheduled for American audiences in the late afternoon or evening.
For live updates and official kickoffs, follow, follow FIFA World Cup News, CONCACAF, and FIFA’s qualifiers pages.
2026 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Top Scorer
- Gervane Kastaneer (Curaçao) – 5 goals.
- Duckens Nazon (Haiti) – 5 goals.
- Oalex Anderson (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) – 5 goals.
- Dorny Romero (Dominican Republic) – 4 goals.
- Shamar Nicholson (Jamaica) – 4 goals.
- Óscar Santis (Guatemala) – 4 goals.