MIAMI. - Five Concacaf nations started the Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with home victories as Word Cup Qualifying continued in the region on Thursday.
Honduras and Costa Rica rose to the top of Groups A and B, respectively, while Haiti, Panama, and Jamaica kept pace in the leads for Groups C, D, and E. Home teams remained undefeated through the first two matchdays as qualifying resumes on Saturday.
Jamaica vs. Dominican Republic
Jamaica earned a 1-nil win over the Dominican Republic in Group E at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.
Shamar Nicholson scored the lone goal of the encounter in the 17’, putting the finishing touch on a counterattack following a Dominican Republic corner kick. Renaldo Cephas led the breakaway and provided the assist.
Jahmali Waite suited up as goalkeeper for the Reggae Boyz and collected the clean sheet.
Next up for Jamaica is a trip to Dominica on Sunday. The Dominican Republic heads home to host the British Virgin Islands on Tuesday.
Haiti vs. Saint Lucia
Haiti defeated Saint Lucia, 2-1, in Group C at Wildey Turf in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Caniggia Elva opened the scoring in the 18' to put Saint Lucia on the board.
Jean-Kevin Duverne tied the match in the 47', connecting with a strong header off a corner kick service from Fabrice Picault.
Duckens Nazon completed the comeback in the 78', powering through the defense for the match-winning goal.
The Haiti national team will remain in Bridgetown to face Barbados on Sunday. Saint Lucia will also stay on the island to host Aruba on Tuesday at Wildey Turf.
Honduras vs. Cuba
Honduras won 3-1 over Cuba in Group A at the Chelato Ucles National Stadium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Maykel Reyes struck first for the visitors in the 23', capping off a counterattack with a chipped ball from the penalty arc.
Antony Lozano tied the match minutes later, in the 26', as Honduras took advantage of a free kick from short distance. Luis Palma delivered the service over the top, which Lozano received with his chest as he spun to hit the ball with his right foot.
Edwin Rodriguez obtained the lead for Honduras in the 45'+2 with a left footed shot in the box.
Rubilio Castillo extended the lead in the 82' with a strike off a long pass from the right side of the box by fellow second half substitute David Ruiz.
Up next for Honduras is playing away at Bermuda on Sunday. Cuba will host the Cayman Islands on Tuesday in Santiago de Cuba.
Panama vs. Guyana
Panama took a 2-nil victory over Guyana in Group D at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama City, Panama.
Cristian Martinez broke the deadlock in the 62' with a goal inside the box, connecting on a pass over the top from Adalberto Carrasquilla.
Jose Rodriguez made it a two-goal lead for the hosts in the 65' with a one-hit finish on the other end of a service from Edgar Barcenas.
The next opponent for Panama is Montserrat on Sunday in Managua, Nicaragua. Guyana will meet Belize on Tuesday at Wildey Turf in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Costa Rica vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Costa Rica won 4-nil over Saint Kitts and Nevis in Group B at the National Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Orlando Galo struck with a header in the box to open the scoring in the 40’, connecting on a long service from Jefferson Brenes following a throw-in.
Galo secured his brace in the 50’ with a left footed strike just outside the box.
Josimar Alcocer came off the bench to add a third for the hosts in the 83'.
Andy Rojas, another second half substitute, extended the lead in the 84' to secure the three points.
Costa Rica will travel to face Grenada on Sunday in St. George's. Saint Kitts and Nevis will host the Bahamas on Tuesday in Basseterre.
El Salvador vs. Puerto Rico
El Salvador and Puerto Rico played to a scoreless draw in Group F at the Cuscatlan Stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Darwin Ceren had a look towards goal in the 23’ but the attempt went wide of the goal.
The hosts came close again in the 26’ as a long-range attempt from Christian Martinez hit the crossbar.
Leandro Antonetti delivered a menacing header in the 78’ but was just wide of the left post as the match stayed scoreless.
Goalkeepers Mario Gonzalez and Joel Serrano ended the night with their first clean sheets of the campaign.
Suriname, who won on Wednesday, maintains its spot at the top of the group as a result. Anguilla and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have yet to play their first match.
Next for El Salvador is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday in Paramaribo, Suriname. Puerto Rico will host Anguilla on Tuesday in Bayamon.
