If you’re a fan of North American, Central American, or Caribbean soccer, the FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Qualifiers games are where it all begins. These matches aren’t just regular friendlies they’re the high-stakes road to the world’s biggest sporting event: the FIFA World Cup 2026. With the tournament being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, excitement in the region has never been higher.
In this detailed guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the CONCACAF Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, updated as of June 2025. From schedules and teams to how qualification works and where to watch, this article covers it all.
What Are the CONCACAF Qualifiers?
The CONCACAF qualifiers are a series of competitive matches between national teams in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. These games determine which teams will secure spots in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The CONCACAF region includes countries like:
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United States 🇺🇸
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Mexico 🇲🇽
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Canada 🇨🇦
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Costa Rica 🇨🇷
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Jamaica 🇯🇲
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Honduras 🇭🇳
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El Salvador 🇸🇻
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Panama 🇵🇦
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Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹
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And many more from the Caribbean
This qualifying journey is a multi-round tournament designed to fairly select the best teams from the region.
CONCACAF Qualifiers Schedule – June 2025 Update
The qualifiers are happening in three rounds, with the second round currently underway as of June 2025.
Second Round: Group Stage (June 2025 to June 2026)
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30 teams divided into 6 groups of 5 teams
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Each team plays 4 matches (2 home, 2 away)
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Top 2 teams from each group advance to the final round
| Group | Teams | Matches | Start Date | End Date |
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| A–F | 5 per group | 4 per team | June 2025 | June 2026 |
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June 10 to 18, 2025
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September 2025 international window
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October 2025 window
Keep your eyes on these matches underdog nations like Haiti, Nicaragua, and Curaçao are making headlines!
2026 FIFA World Cup Host Countries — What It Means for CONCACAF
Since the United States, Mexico, and Canada are co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they’ve already earned automatic qualification spots. That means they don’t need to play in the qualifiers.
Here’s what that means for the rest of CONCACAF:
✅ Three host nations (USA, CAN, MEX) are already in.
🎟️ Three more teams will qualify directly through the qualifiers.
🌀 Two additional teams may reach the World Cup through intercontinental playoffs.
That’s eight potential CONCACAF teams in the 2026 World Cup the most ever!
How the Qualification Format Works
The CONCACAF qualifiers follow a structured path to ensure fairness and competitiveness:
Round Breakdown:
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First Round (Completed in March 2024)
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4 lowest-ranked teams played two-legged ties
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2 teams advanced to Round Two
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Second Round (Ongoing)
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30 teams in groups (incl. 2 from Round One)
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Top 2 from each group advance
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Final Round (Hexagonal)
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12 teams
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3 qualify directly
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2 enter FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs
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Where to Watch CONCACAF Qualifiers Games in the U.S.
American fans can watch every second of the action on:
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Paramount+ (CBS Sports streaming)
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Telemundo Deportes (Spanish)
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FuboTV (Live sports + replays)
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Fox Sports (Select matches)
Most games are broadcast in English and Spanish, making them accessible to a wider U.S. audience.
Popular Teams to Watch This Qualifying Cycle
Here are the fan-favorite teams in the qualifiers besides the already-qualified hosts:
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Panama – Known for disciplined defending
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Jamaica – Boosted by Premier League talent
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Costa Rica – Veteran players with World Cup experience
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Honduras & El Salvador – Classic regional rivalry
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Haiti & Curaçao – Rising Caribbean nations
These teams are battling not just for pride but for a shot at the global stage.
Why These Games Matter to American Soccer Fans
Even though the U.S. has automatically qualified, the CONCACAF qualifiers still matter for fans and the growth of soccer in the U.S. Here’s why:
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Scouting future opponents
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Watching regional talent rise
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Cheering on rivals
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Getting hyped for 2026
The matches also give American fans insight into who the underdogs or threats might be once the tournament kicks off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the CONCACAF qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup?
The CONCACAF qualifiers are a series of soccer matches that determine which national teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean will qualify for the FIFA World Cup. For the 2026 tournament, six rounds of games are being held from 2024 to 2026.
Which CONCACAF teams have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
As of June 2025, the United States, Mexico, and Canada have already qualified as co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026. They are not participating in the qualifier rounds.
How many CONCACAF teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
A total of six to eight teams from CONCACAF could make it to the 2026 World Cup. Three host nations (USA, Mexico, Canada) are already qualified, three more teams will qualify directly, and up to two additional teams could qualify through intercontinental playoffs.
When are the next CONCACAF qualifiers scheduled in 2025?
The next matchdays for CONCACAF qualifiers are scheduled during the June, September, and October 2025 international windows. Each team plays home and away group matches during this round.
Where can I watch the CONCACAF World Cup qualifier games in the U.S.?
You can watch the CONCACAF qualifiers live on Paramount+, Fox Sports, Telemundo Deportes, and FuboTV. These platforms offer both English and Spanish commentary.
Which CONCACAF teams are most likely to qualify in 2025?
Besides the already-qualified hosts, top contenders include Costa Rica, Jamaica, Panama, and Honduras. Caribbean nations like Haiti and Curaçao are also making strong bids for qualification.
Final Thoughts: The Road to 2026 Is Heating Up
The FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Qualifiers games are a thrilling look at what’s coming for the 2026 tournament. With more teams than ever representing the region, and fresh talent emerging across the Caribbean and Central America, this qualifying cycle is one for the history books.
Whether you’re a hardcore soccer fan, betting enthusiast, or just catching up before the World Cup lands in our backyard don’t miss a single game.
Bookmark this page, share it with your soccer community, and stay tuned for updates all the way to June 2026.