Overview
- Curaçao qualified for its first World Cup with a 0-0 draw in Jamaica, topping Group B as Jamaica advanced to the intercontinental playoff.
- Haiti returned to the tournament for the first time since 1974 after a 2-0 win over Nicaragua, having staged its ‘home’ qualifiers in Curaçao and Aruba due to security concerns.
- Panama secured Group A with a 3-0 win over El Salvador, while Surinam reached the intercontinental playoff despite a 3-1 loss at Guatemala thanks to a late goal and tiebreakers.
- Iraq earned a place in the intercontinental playoff by beating the UAE 2-1 on a stoppage‑time penalty; the six-team March field also includes DR Congo, Bolivia, Jamaica, Surinam and New Caledonia in single-match brackets hosted in Mexico.
- Costa Rica was eliminated after a 0-0 draw with Honduras, with coach Miguel Herrera accepting responsibility and indicating his tenure is ending, and the World Cup draw is set for December 5 in Washington, D.C.