World Cup Qualification CONCACAF news

World Cup 2026 draw: Everything you need to know

The latest information on the World Cup 2026 draw, including the date, what to expect in terms of teams and pots, and how to watch.

How a fish farmer and Prem coach helped fulfill Curacao’s WC dream

With FA president Gilbert Martina - once a fish farm investor and health-care CEO - at the helm, Curacao have risen fast. GOAL explores how a near-impossible dream came true.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock Is Unveiled In Mexico City

FIFA Play-Off Tournament: Everything you need to know

FIFA Play-Off Tournament — how it works, who qualifies, seeding, format, schedule and other key points you should know.

McClaren resigns after Curacao hold Jamaica to make World Cup history

Curacao have become the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica in their final qualifying game. Curacao finished the third round qualifying stage at the top of Group B with 12 points from six games, one more than Jamaica. Ex-England boss Steve McClaren resigned from his post with Jamaica immediately after the final whistle. The other teams that sealed direct qualification from CONCACAF are Haiti and Panama.

FBL-WC-2026-CONCACAF-QUALIFIERS-CRC-PRESSER

Costa Rica's loss to Haiti puts them in danger of missing WC

Costa Rica’s World Cup hopes have taken a severe hit. A 1–0 loss to Haiti has left Miguel Herrera’s side on the brink in the CONCACAF qualifiers, with their direct path now hanging by a thread. Pressure around Herrera grew louder after the match as Los Ticos have a difficult path to next year's tournament.

CONCACAF players ranked: Balogun, David the headliners

With several stars missing for the USMNT, Mexico and Canada, the CONCACAF rankings feature some new faces.

'Responsibility belongs to everyone' - Navas on Herrera critics

Costa Rica’s path to the World Cup has been complicated after beginning the qualifiers with two draws against opponents considered weaker on paper. With Mexico, the United States, and Canada already qualified as hosts, the road seemed far more accessible for Miguel Herrera’s side, a nation that has reached three consecutive World Cups.

United States v Costa Rica - Gold Cup 2025: Quarter Finals

Betting spotlight

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid predictions: Derby joy for Los Blancos

See more betting articles

Frequently asked questions

: Koln, Arminia Bielefeld, and Bochum hold the record of winning the 2. Bundesliga titles the most number of times with four each to their name. FC St. Pauli won the 2. Bundesliga at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, their first title in Germany's second division.
: Currently, there are 18 teams contesting in the 2. Bundesliga. Since its inception in 1974 till 1994, there were two divisions of 20 clubs, with 10 clubs in each division. However, since 1994-95, 18 teams contest for the 2. Bundesliga title in the traditional league format.
: Willi Landgraf, a former German defender, holds the record for making the most 2. Bundesliga appearances. Landgraf appeared in 508 games in the league and played for Rot-Weiss Essen, Homburg, Gutersloh, and Alemannia Aachen.
: Simon Terodde, who recently played for Schalke, is the leading goalscorer of all-time in 2. Bundesliga. The lanky German striker scored 177 goals in 311 games and represented Bochum, Schalke, Stuttgart, Hamburger, Union Berlin, and Duisburg.
: Former German goalkeeper Peter Eich is the oldest player to feature in a 2. Bundesliga game, achieving the feat at the age of 44 years and 330 days in May 2006.
: Turkish midfielder Efe-Kaan Sihlaroglu was just 16 years and 142 days old when he made his debut for Karlsruher against Hannover in 2021, thus making him the youngest player ever in the 2. Bundesliga.
: Rudi Voller, Simon Terodde, Ottmar Hitzfeld, and Niclas Fullkrug are among the most famous players to have played in 2. Bundesliga.
: Friedhelm Funkel, Ralph Hassenhuttl, Ralf Rangnick, and Klaus Augenthaler are among the most renowned managerial names in 2. Bundesliga history.
: Berlin's Olympstadion, which is home to Hertha BSC, is the biggest stadium in 2. Bundesliga with a capacity of 74,475. It is Germany's second-biggest football stadium after Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park.
: Davie Selke is the most expensive 2. Bundesliga signing of all-time. Selke was bought for €8 million from Werden Bremen by RB Leipzig in 2015.