Costa Rica will clash with Trinidad and Tobago in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for the CONCACAF (North American) region, following FIFA’s announcement of the second-round draw on Thursday.
The Central American team, who reached the quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014, aims for their seventh World Cup appearance, while the Soca Boys seek their second showing after their 2006 campaign in Germany.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico have secured spots in the 2026 tournament as co-hosts, leaving three more automatic berths available through the qualifying process.
Additionally, the two next-best teams at the end of the process will enter FIFA’s Play-Off Tournament for a chance to bring CONCACAF’s representation to a record eight nations.
Costa Rica and Trinidad will also compete against St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and the Bahamas in Group B. The teams will play each other once, with the top two teams advancing to the final round.
In the final-round draw, the 12 teams will separate into three groups of four teams. Each team will play every other team in their group, both home and away. They will play final-round matches in the FIFA international match windows of September, October, and November 2025.
Costa Rica is the favorite to enter the tournament, while Honduras, Panama, Jamaica, El Salvador, and Haiti are also expected to contend for spots.
The World Cup finals will begin in June 2026 across 16 cities in the three North American countries.
CONCACAF Preliminary Draw (Round Two) – FIFA World Cup 26
Group A: Honduras, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Bermuda, Cayman Islands
Group B: Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Bahamas
Group C: Haiti, Curacao, St. Lucia, Barbados, Aruba
Group D: Panama, Nicaragua, Guyana, Montserrat, Belize
Group E: Jamaica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Dominica, Winner play-off 2 (British Virgin Islands or US Virgin Islands)
Group F: El Salvador, Suriname, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Winner play-off 1 (Turks and Caicos Islands or Anguilla)
Key Takeaways From Article
1. Plan your trip to Costa Rica during the FIFA international match windows of September, October, and November 2025 to catch some of the qualifying matches for the World Cup. This will allow you to experience the excitement and energy of the games firsthand.
2. If you’re a fan of soccer, consider booking your trip to Costa Rica during the final round matches of the CONCACAF qualifying process. This will give you the opportunity to see some of the top teams in action and witness the intense competition as they vie for a spot in the World Cup.
3. Explore the cities across the three North American countries hosting the World Cup finals in 2026. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to experience the tournament in multiple locations and immerse yourself in the vibrant soccer culture of each city.
4. Keep an eye on the performances of Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Jamaica, El Salvador, and Haiti during the qualifying process. These teams are expected to be strong contenders for the spots in the World Cup and watching their matches can provide valuable insights into their playing styles and strategies.
5. Consider extending your trip beyond the World Cup matches to explore the beautiful country of Costa Rica. Known for its stunning natural landscapes, adventures in rainforests, pristine beaches, and diverse wildlife, Costa Rica offers a plethora of unique travel experiences for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
6. Stay updated on the qualifying process and the teams’ performances by following news and updates from reliable sports sources. This will help you plan your trip and ensure that you don’t miss any important matches or developments leading up to the World Cup.
