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Haiti, Curaçao and Panama Clinch 2026 World Cup Berths as Costa Rica Crash Out

Coach Miguel Herrera has accepted responsibility and put his tenure in the federation's hands.

Overview

  • Haiti beat Nicaragua 2-0 in Willemstad to win Group C with 11 points, securing its first World Cup since 1974 after staging 'home' games outside the country for security reasons.
  • Costa Rica drew 0-0 with Honduras in San José, finished third with seven points and missed the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
  • Herrera said he is the responsible party for the failure and will meet federation president Osael Maroto to decide his future.
  • Costa Rican media condemned the exit as a historic failure, while players, including a tearful Keylor Navas, defended the coach and acknowledged their own shortcomings.
  • Curaçao qualified for its first World Cup by topping Group B after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica, Panama won Group A, and Jamaica and Surinam advanced to the intercontinental playoff.