Overview
- Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET in Guatemala City with U.S. coverage on Universo/Telemundo Deportes and Paramount, plus Concacaf’s YouTube and app.
- Group A enters the penultimate matchday with Surinam and Panama on 6 points, Guatemala on 5, and El Salvador on 3, leaving the hosts little margin because a draw offers scant help.
- Hostility around the fixture includes a banner threatening referees and Concacaf captured by journalist Gustavo Roca, with Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos assigned and coach Luis Fernando Tena urging “cero violencia.”
- FIFA has confirmed that intercontinental qualification will be decided in a six‑team mini‑tournament in Monterrey and Guadalajara from March 23–31, 2026, with two World Cup places at stake.
- France’s 4–0 win over Ukraine secured its place and raised the tally of qualified teams to 29, while Concacaf still has three direct berths to fill plus two intercontinental playoff spots for the best runners‑up.