MIAMI — The Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered top moments during the June 2024 match window.
Here is a look at the best moments from Concacaf World Cup Qualifying as the Road to 2026 continues:
A Victory 55 Years in the Making
The Suriname men’s national team ended a stretch of 55 years, 5 months, and 11 days to win at home with a score of 4-1, which it did against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, to start its current qualifying campaign with three points. Sheraldo Becker (39'), Jeredy Hilterman (45'+3), Justin Lonwijk (46'), and Jaden Montnor (70') struck the goals for Suriname while Oalex Anderson (31') scored for the Vincy Heat.
The first and only previous time this happened for Suriname was on December 22, 1968, against El Salvador. Jules Lagadeau (16’, 21’), Stuart Oosthuizen (43’), and Edwien Schal (74’) scored for Suriname, while Víctor Azúcar scored for El Salvador (11’).
Andy Rojas Breaks 67-Year-Old Record
With his goal in a 4-nil win against Saint Kitts and Nevis on Thursday, June 6, 2024, Andy Emanuel Rojas became the youngest player to score a goal for Costa Rica at 18 years, 6 months, and 1 day.
In doing so, Rojas broke Jorge Monge's previous record of 18 years, 11 months, and 27 days with a hat-trick performance during a 6-2 victory against Guatemala on February 10, 1957.
The record was surpassed after 67 years, 3 months, and 25 days.
Honduras and El Salvador End Winless Streaks
Honduras ended the longest winless streak for a Central American team in qualifiers, which stood at 14 games (10 losses and 4 draws), with their 3-1 victory against Cuba on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Honduras followed their win with a 6-1 away victory at Bermuda and took the pole position in Group A with six points.
El Salvador also ended its own winless run, which spanned 23 matches (11 losses, 12 draws), with its 3-2 victory at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday, June 9, 2024. El Salvador sits third in Group F with four points, separated from second-place Puerto Rico on goal difference, while Suriname sits in first place with six points.
Second Consecutive Away Win for Curaçao
With its 2-nil victory in Aruba, Curaçao achieved two consecutive away wins in World Cup Qualifiers for the first time since last doing so in the 1958 and 1962 qualifiers.
Curaçao last accomplished this feat with a 3-1 victory over Guatemala in the 1958 qualifiers, followed by a 2-1 win over Suriname in the 1962 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle.
The Curaçao squad sits first in Group C with six points, separated from second-place Haiti on goal difference, to start its campaign.
Seven Games Unbeaten for Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago extended its unbeaten streak to seven consecutive games with its 7-1 victory over the Bahamas on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The Soca Warriors are on a run of four wins and three draws, their second-best streak in qualifiers. Trinidad and Tobago also achieved a 7-1 victory in World Cup Qualifying for the first time in its history.
Behind first place Costa Rica, which holds six points, Trinidad and Tobago is second in Group B with four points.
Take a look at the group standings 📊 after the first games of the #ConcacafQualifiers second round! #WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/dWtmVuCH7i
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) June 12, 2024
