MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship kicks off with six group stage matches on Saturday at the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Managua, Nicaragua.
The United States and Trinidad and Tobago will begin the day, while hosts Nicaragua will face Panama in the day's final match.
United States vs. Trinidad and Tobago
The United States was runner-up in the previous edition and aspires to collect its third trophy in its seventh overall appearance. Raphael Araujo, Luciano Gonzalez, Diego Moretti, and Alencar Ventura-Junior return from the 2021 team. Along with those four, Robert Damron and David Ortiz round out a group with experience at the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup on head coach Hewerton Moreira’s roster.
Trinidad and Tobago is making its fourth appearance and will look to advance out of the group stage for the first time. This matchup will feature the two nations' first meeting at the Futsal Championship.
Guatemala vs. Dominican Republic
Guatemala coach Eduardo Estrada looks to return the one-time champions to glory in its sixth participation. The Dominican Republic will make its second appearance and, under coach Fernando Antonio Ballester, looks to improve on a quarterfinal trip in 2021 and qualify for its first Futsal World Cup.
In the 2021 group stage, Guatemala defeated the Dominican Republic 4-2 in their only futsal championship encounter.
Mexico vs. Suriname
Mexico makes its eighth appearance in the tournament and will strive to qualify for its second Futsal World Cup. Suriname returns for its fourth overall appearance and sets its sights on qualifying for its first World Cup after bowing out in the quarterfinals at the last edition.
The two nations will meet for the third time. Both teams have a win over the other, with Suriname winning 5-4 during the group stage at Guatemala 2021.
Costa Rica vs. Haiti
Four-time winners Costa Rica will defend its throne in its eighth participation. Coach Alex Ramos has called up eight players from the 2021 team: Cesar Vargas, Victor Fonseca, Jean Carlo Salas, Minor Cabalceta, Emanuel Gamboa, Milinton Tijerino, Pablo Rodríguez, and Daniel Gomez.
Haiti makes its third appearance and second consecutive. The two sides will meet for the third time at the tournament, with Costa Rica winning both encounters in 2008 and 2021.
Cuba vs. Canada
Cuba makes its eight appearance and has finished runner-up on four occasions. The Caribbean country has represented Concacaf at five FIFA Futsal World Cups. In the only tournament meeting with Canada, Cuba was victorious 7-4 in the 2016 edition.
Canada is participating in its fourth Concacaf Futsal Championship and hopes to improve its best finish as quarterfinalists in 2021. Daniel Chamale, who has represented Canada at three previous editions, headlines head coach Kyriakos Selaidopoulos's 14-man roster.
Panama vs. Nicaragua
Panama will play its sixth Futsal Championship, finishing as runners-up in 2016. Head coach Alex Del Rosario will look to lead the nation to a fourth consecutive Futsal World Cup qualification.
Hosts Nicaragua will be making its third appearance in the tournament. Head coach Carlos Sotela will look to get his squad off to a winning start in its first tournament meeting with Panama as the Blue and White work to qualify for its first knockout stage appearance.
