For the Hispanic community living in the United States and passionately following CONCACAF soccer, the coming weeks will be decisive for Mexican coaches Luis Fernando Tena and Miguel Herrera.
Both are at the helm of teams in the final stretch of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the results could define their immediate future.
Guatemala: Tena aims for the feat
The Guatemala National Team, under the direction of Luis Fernando Tena, is in third place in Group A with 5 points.
Just one point behind Panama and Suriname, both with 6.
To qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, they would have to win their two remaining home games, which would leave them with 11 points and lead the group.
Any other result – defeat or even a draw – would complicate their passage and force them to depend on the playoffs.
The results could define their immediate future
QuéOnnda.com
Costa Rica: Herrera on “win or die” mission
The Costa Rican national team, coached by Miguel Herrera, is in second place in Group C with 6 points, two points behind leaders Honduras (8).
The Ticos must visit the Haitian National Team and then host the leader at home.
This makes both dates “finals” to secure first place and a direct pass to the 2026 World Cup.
A slip-up can leave them out or condemn them to the playoffs.
United by the passion of soccer
For Latino fans residing in the United States, these games not only have soccer value, but cultural value as well:
Seeing Mexican coaches at the helm of Central American teams with real options to qualify for the 2026 World Cup magnifies the connection between the Latin sports elite and the identity of the diaspora.
In addition, these achievements can strengthen the visibility of the region’s soccer in the U.S. market.
All or nothing for Tena and Herrera
The qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are reaching a critical moment for Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Tena and Herrera have a clear mission: get the necessary results or face an uncertain fate.
The U.S. Hispanic community has a lot at stake in the narrative of this process.
The question remains: will they manage to successfully close this decisive phase and lead their teams to the world stage?
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