Costa Rica vs Haiti: Critical World Cup Qualifying Battle at Estadio Nacional

Historic Rivals Meet in Crucial Qualifier

The Final Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with Costa Rica hosting Haiti in Group C on Tuesday at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica.

This marks the 16th encounter between these nations, with Costa Rica dominating the historical record with eight wins, six draws, and just one loss. Haiti’s sole victory against Costa Rica came during the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Notably, Costa Rica has maintained a perfect record against Haiti in World Cup Qualifiers, winning all four previous matches.

Current Form and Recent Results

Costa Rica enters the match following a 1-1 draw against Nicaragua, where Alexis Gamboa scored their only goal. Haiti, meanwhile, showed defensive prowess in their previous fixture, securing a scoreless draw against Honduras, with goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre making three crucial saves to earn their first point.

World Cup Qualification Context

The Final Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers features 12 national teams divided into three groups of four. Teams compete in a home-and-away round-robin format, with each squad playing six matches. At the conclusion of the Final Round, the top team from each group will secure direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup, joining tournament co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Match Significance

Currently, Costa Rica holds the top position in their group, while Haiti sits in third place. This match holds particular importance as it comes just one year before the FIFA World Cup 2026, representing a crucial opportunity for both teams to strengthen their position in what has become an increasingly competitive regional tournament.