Overview
- Kickoff is Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Estadio Nacional in San José at 8:00 p.m. ET, with U.S. coverage in English via CBS Paramount and in Spanish on Telemundo Deportes Ahora and Universo, plus streaming on Paramount+ and Peacock.
- Costa Rica must defeat Honduras to keep realistic hopes of direct qualification, then needs Haiti to draw or lose to Nicaragua; if Haiti wins, Costa Rica’s route shifts to the intercontinental playoff based on combined standings.
- Honduras can clinch direct qualification only by beating Costa Rica and having Haiti drop points against Nicaragua; otherwise its path is a potential playoff spot as one of the two best second-place teams across groups.
- New York City FC confirmed forward Alonso Martínez sustained a knee injury on international duty and returned to New York for further evaluation, reducing Costa Rica’s attacking options.
- Local reports describe a possible 'silent boycott' by some Costa Rican fans and widespread ticket resales to Honduran supporters, raising questions about the usual home-field advantage in San José.