British Virgin Islands, Anguilla make history in Qualifying

MIAMI, Florida – The First Round of Concacaf Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded on Tuesday with British Virgin Islands and Anguilla each advancing to the next stage for the first time in their respective histories.

British Virgin Islands 0-0 US Virgin Islands (BVI advance 4-2 in PKs)

The day started with a dramatic second leg between the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in Road Town, BVI, where the hosts won a penalty shootout 4-2 following a 0-0 draw in the match and 1-1 on aggregate.

The two sides played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in USVI, and the margins were just as thin in the second leg.

Each team generated scoring chances in the first half, including a USVI shot that flashed just wide midway through the half, while a BVI header right before halftime bounced wide of the post.

Back and forth they went in the second half, with each side knowing that a single goal could well make the difference. The defenses stood tall, however, and after 90 minutes there were still no goals, resulting in extra time.

In the additional frame, BVI had the majority of the scoring chances but could not find a way through, so matters had to be settled from the spot.

In the penalty shootout, BVI GK Frankie Beckles came up big with two saves and Azarni Callwood converted the winning kick to send BVI to the Second Round of qualifying for the first time in their history.

BVI advance to Group E of the Second Round of qualifying where they will face Jamaica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and Dominica.

Turks and Caicos Islands 1-1 Anguilla (Anguilla advance 4-3 in PKs)

For the first ever, Anguilla have reached the Second Round of qualifying after defeating Turks and Caicos Islands 4-3 in a penalty shootout following their 1-1 draw in the second leg at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

After the 0-0 draw in the first leg in Anguilla, Tuesday’s 1-1 draw after 90 minutes resulted in extra time and eventually penalty kicks, where Anguilla proved superior from the spot.

Turks and Caicos Islands were first to take the lead, as all-time top appearances and goalscorer Billy Forbes scored his second career World Cup Qualifying goal in the 23’ for a 1-0 lead.

But Anguilla would not be denied, and right before halftime Luke Paris converted from the penalty spot to even the score at 1-1. It was Anguilla’s first goal in qualifying since 2000 against the Bahamas.

No other goals could be found in regular time nor in extra time, so the teams went to spot to determine the winner. In the end, Anguilla emerged victorious 4-3 with Kian Duncan converting the winning penalty to send Anguilla to Group E of the Second Round of qualifying where they will take on El Salvador, Suriname, Puerto Rico and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.