CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying continues in October Window

Previewing the three groups of four in the second international window of the Final Round

Twelve teams return to the International Stage to see who will advance to the World Cup, and which two best out of three second place teams will get another shot during the Intercontinental playoffs. We have some surprises and a dominant side that will continue to show what they will do to continue their journey and create brilliant performances.

Group A October Preview:

Suriname

The surprise team in this group, taking four points out of six in the September Window. Battling hard against Panama in a scoreless draw at home, then an amazing two goals to one victory at the feared Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador. 

Facing a stingy Guatemala at home, then facing Panama away, will test their mental strength if they want to reach their first World Cup in their country’s history. 

El Salvador

A late winner on the road in Guatemala and a surprising loss at home to Suriname. But for now, they are in second place in the group, but they need to do more to attempt reaching that top spot or knock off the second-place sides in the other two groups. They will host Panama and Guatemala

Panama

The Favorites of this group to qualify and take the top spot have been very disappointing. With all the recent success they have achieved in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL Copa America play, Thomas Christiansen is now in hot water. The road draw in Suriname and the one goal draw with Guatemala have put them in third place with two points. 

On the road in El Salvador and hosting Suriname, they must find a way to secure four out of six points or earn all six in this window if they want to save themselves from disappointment. The road is tougher unless they get back to their type of football.

Guatemala

One point out of two games is a tough pill to swallow for this proud nation. After their successful Gold Cup Run and second round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, many thought Guatemala was going to make a big run in the final round, but they were thwarted by El Salvador’s lone goal and dropped five of six points in September. 

They will have the toughest challenge out of the three other teams, as they will be on the road to Suriname and El Salvador in this International October Window. They must find a way to get a win at one of the two visiting stadiums to put up a fight and threaten that top spot. 

Group A October Schedule

Friday, October 10th:
Suriname Vs. Guatemala 5 PM Eastern, Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion
English: CBS Sports Network/Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Universo/Universo Now

El Salvador Vs. Panama 9 PM Eastern, Estadio Cuscatlan
English: CBS Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Peacock

Tuesday, October 14th:
Panama Vs. Suriname 9 PM, Eastern Estadio Rommel Fernández
English: CBS Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Telemundo Desportes

El Salvador Vs. Guatemala 10 PM, Eastern Estadio Cuscatlan
English: CBS Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Telemundo Deportes/Peacock

Group B October Preview:

Jamaica

Under head coach Steve McLearen, Jamaica has shown some improvements. Especially in a World Cup qualifying setting, Jamaica went on the road to Bermuda and wiped them out with a four-goal clean sheet destruction, while holding off Trinidad & Tobago with a two-goal clean sheet win. 

They have all six points from the September International Window, and they will have a tough road match away at Curacao, while Bermuda does come to the Office in Kingston. The group leaders need to keep their foot on the gas to earn that automatic qualification.

Curacao

Currently in second place in Group B and one of the two best second-place positions, with a road draw at Trinidad & Tobago, and survived an embarrassing draw at home against Bermuda, getting the match-winner late in the second half. 

Under Dick Advocaat, this Dutch island has done well to position itself to make it to the intercontinental playoffs, or, with luck, overtake Jamaica for the top spot. They host both Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago at home. 

Trinidad & Tobago

Their most successful player during the Sir Alex Ferguson era of Manchester United, Dwight Yorke, is now managing his nation’s Men’s National Team. Unfortunately, the results haven’t come quickly. They drew at home to Curacao, then fell to Jamaica. They thought they scored until VAR called and wiped out their goal. 

Now they have to earn a win when they face both Bermuda and Curacao away from the friendly confines of Hasley Crawford Stadium. Yorke will need to muster all of his expertise if he wants to challenge for the top two spots in Group B

Bermuda

While at the bottom of the group, Bermuda has shown fight and made strong attempts to challenge the other three teams. Unfortunately, quality has been lacking. While they had no chance at home against Jamaica, they were unlucky not to get at least a point away at Curacao. 

These next two matches in the October window are very crucial to keep Bermuda in the fight, and two draws won’t do it. They must find a way to get between four to six points to remain in the battle, or else the November matches will be considered friendlies. Hosting Trinidad & Tobago and away at Jamaica

Group B October Schedule

Friday, October 10th:
Bermuda Vs. Trinidad & Tobago 6 PM Eastern, Dame Flora Duffy National Sports Centre
English: CBS Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Telemundo Desportes

Curacao Vs. Jamaica 7 PM, Eastern Stadion Ergilio Hato
English: CBS Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Telemundo Deportes Ahora/Peacock

Tuesday: October 14th:
Curacao Vs. Trinidad & Tobago 7 PM Eastern, Stadion Ergilio Hato
English: CBS Paramount+ – NBC Telemundo Desportes Ahora/Peacock

Jamaica Vs. Bermuda 8 PM Eastern, Independence Park
English: CBS Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Telemundo Desportes

Group C October Preview

Honduras

Currently in first place in the group, Honduras has been the surprise side early in the final round of World Cup Qualifying. While earning a draw against Haiti, they found a victory at home against Nicaragua. If they want to earn that automatic qualification spot, they must find a way to continue to earn the points. Honduras will host both Costa Rica and Haiti at home during the October Window.

Costa Rica

This has been a disappointing final round of qualifying for the Ticos. They were up a man and up a goal on the road in Nicaragua, but somehow got called for a penalty and dropped two points. Back at the national stadium in San Jose, they almost dropped all three points when Duckens Nazon scored a hat trick, but a late equalizer salvaged a point.

While they hold the advantage of second place on a tiebreaker for goals scored, with four and Haiti with three, this October Window is very crucial for Costa Rica to push themselves into the top spot, or to stay where they are for the intercontinental playoffs. They are in Honduras and home to Nicaragua.

Haiti

Haiti is also in the same boat as Costa Rica. Two draws in two games as they had a scoreless draw against Honduras, and traveled to Costa Rica for the three goal draw. While Duckens Nazon has kept them alive, they need more help to overtake both Costa Rica and or Honduras to advance into automatic qualification or the intercontinental playoffs. Haiti is on the road to both Nicaragua & Honduras.

Nicaragua

After two matches and only securing one point, Nicaragua needs to improve its play if it wants to threaten the rest of Group C. The penalty that saved them a point at home against Costa Rica and the loss to Honduras have them in the basement of the group.

They must fight hard in these next two games, as they will be home to Haiti and travel to Costa Rica in this October International Window. Important matches across the region of CONCACF outside the North Zone. 

Group C October Schedule

Thursday, October 9th:
Nicaragua Vs. Haiti 8 PM Eastern Estadio, Nacional de Fútbol
English: CBS Sports Golazo/Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Universo/Universo Now

Honduras Vs. Costa Rica 10 PM Eastern, Estadio Francisco Morazán
English: CBS Sports Golazo/Paramount+ – Spanish: NBC Universo/Universo Now

Monday, October 13th:
Honduras Vs. Haiti 8 PM Eastern, Estadio José de la Paz Herrera Uclés
English: CBS Sports Network/Paramount+ – Spanish NBC Universo/Universo Now

Costa Rica Vs. Nicaragua 10 PM Eastern, Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica
English: CBS Sports Network/Paramount+ – Spanish NBC Universo/Universo Now

CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying News:

• Andy Rojas Called Up to Costa Rica for World Cup Qualifying
• Analyzing September Window for CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying
• Six Goal Thriller as Costa Rica and Haiti Draw in World Cup Qualifier

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