Houston’s Global Ties Shine in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers
(image via Concacaf.com)
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up as the third and final round of CONCACAF qualifiers kicks off. This is the decisive stage where three nations will qualify directly for next summer’s tournament, while two more will fight their way into an intercontinental playoff. For others, dreams will end here.
Houston’s Connection
Oddly, the Houston Dynamo don’t have any active players in these qualifiers—something that was common in past cycles. Still, the city’s soccer heartbeat is tied to the competition through familiar faces. Adalberto Carrasquilla (Panama) and Darwin Ceren (El Salvador) are former Dynamo midfielders still vital to their national teams.
The biggest storyline, however, is Damion Lowe. Recently signed by Houston but yet to debut, Lowe is captaining Jamaica and even scored in their opening match, showing Dynamo fans what kind of presence he brings to the backline.
Group A: El Salvador Takes Early Control
Group A features Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, and Suriname.
• El Salvador stunned Guatemala with an opening win to sit top of the group.
• Panama and Suriname split points after a draw.
• Guatemala and Panama now face must-win games to stay alive.
World Cup history: El Salvador’s last appearance was in 1982, Panama in 2018, while Guatemala and Suriname are still chasing their first.
Group B: Jamaica Off to a Flying Start
Group B includes Bermuda, Curaçao, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.
• Jamaica made a statement with a 4–0 victory over Bermuda, with Lowe on the scoresheet.
• Curaçao and Trinidad & Tobago canceled each other out in a scoreless draw.
World Cup history: Jamaica last qualified in 1998, Trinidad & Tobago in 2006. Curaçao and Bermuda have never made it.
Group C: All Even for Now
Group C consists of Costa Rica, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
• Both opening fixtures ended in draws, leaving every team with a point.
• Costa Rica were held by Nicaragua, while Honduras and Haiti couldn’t find a breakthrough.
World Cup history: Costa Rica last appeared in 2022, Honduras in 2014, Haiti in 1974. Nicaragua is still chasing a first-ever appearance.
What It Means for Houston
For a city as diverse as Houston, these qualifiers carry special weight. Communities across the Bayou City—Salvadoran, Panamanian, Honduran, Jamaican, and more—are all dreaming of seeing their nation on the world’s stage in 2026.
And while the Dynamo may not yet have current players in the action, Lowe’s leadership for Jamaica is a reminder that the club’s impact can still be felt on the biggest stages.
