Panama, Haiti, and Curaçao sealed their qualification for the 2026 World Cup yesterday by finishing as group leaders in the Concacaf qualifiers, while Jamaica and Suriname will contest the playoff. According to the Argentine News Agency, the qualified teams join the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the hosts of the next World Cup. For Panama and Haiti, this will be their second appearance in a World Cup in their history, after participating in Russia 2018 and Germany 1974. Meanwhile, Curaçao will be making its first appearance, achieving a historic feat: qualifying for the 2026 World Cup without a single footballer born on its territory. At the end of the match, which the autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands finished in a 0-0 draw, Jamaica was awarded a penalty in their favor, but after a VAR review, it was determined that there was no infringement. In this way, Panama thrashed El Salvador 3-0 with goals from Cesar Blackman, Eric Davis, and José Rodríguez to top Group A with 12 points. Meanwhile, Suriname lost away 3-1 to Guatemala and, thanks to a dramatic goal late in the game, managed to finish as one of the best second-placed teams to play the playoff and fight for qualification. In Group B, the 0-0 draw favored Curaçao, which finished top with 12 points, followed by Jamaica with 11. In the other match in this zone, which was for formalities only, Trinidad and Tobago won at home 2-1 against Bermuda. Finally, Haiti achieved the feat of being the first in Group C, shared with Honduras (who could not advance to the Playoffs due to goal difference at the hands of Suriname), Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. The Haitians defeated the Nicaraguans 2-0 with goals from Louicius Deedson and Ruben Providence, while the 'Ticos' drew 0-0 at home with the Hondurans and were eliminated.
