CONCACAF U-17 qualifiers action on 10 February concluded with Haiti, Panama, Costa Rica and the United States securing qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 after finishing atop their respective groups following a decisive round of matches across the region.

Panama confirmed its dominance in Group B with a commanding 4-1 victory over Nicaragua at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City. 

Lucas Norte put the hosts ahead early in the 5th minute, while Jossimar Insturain doubled the lead in the 10th minute with a powerful strike from inside the box. Estevis López extended Panama’s advantage in the 31st minute with an impressive solo effort before Nicaragua responded through Bryan Corea, who scored from close range in the 67th minute. 

Thiago Chalmers capped off the win with a header in the 84th minute, securing Panama’s fifth appearance at a FIFA U-17 World Cup. 

Earlier in the group, Anguilla and Dominica played to a 1-1 draw, with Peyton James opening the scoring for Dominica in the 27th minute before Zahir Hennis equalised for Anguilla in the 61st minute.

In Group C, Haiti booked its place at the global tournament with a hard-fought 2-1 win over hosts Guatemala at Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala City. 

Sonson Jean-Baptiste opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a header inside the penalty area. Guatemala quickly responded in the 11th minute when Patrick Arana converted from a cross, but Jean-Baptiste restored Haiti’s lead in the 22nd minute with a powerful finish that ultimately secured the victory and the nation’s fourth appearance at a FIFA U-17 World Cup. 

Antigua and Barbuda also recorded a positive result in the group, defeating Grenada 1-0 courtesy of a 58th minute header from Deonjre Joseph following a free-kick delivery by Robert Jeffrey.

Costa Rica advanced from Group D after playing to a goalless draw against Puerto Rico at the Costa Rican Football Federation Field #2 in Alajuela. 

The result was sufficient for Costa Rica to secure its 12th qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. In the group’s other fixture, the British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. 

Turks and Caicos took an early lead in the 4th minute through Jordan Dane, but Akhori Sebastian equalised for the British Virgin Islands in the 21st minute. 

Turks and Caicos regained the advantage in the 43rd minute when Scott Kommalapate found the net, however Theo Coombs converted a penalty in the 84th minute to earn the British Virgin Islands a share of the points.

The United States secured top spot in Group E following a 1-1 draw with the Dominican Republic at Arnos Vale Sporting Complex in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Malik Jakupovic handed the United States the lead in the 41st minute with a towering header, extending his tally as the tournament’s leading scorer with 8 goals. 

Adrian Garcia responded for the Dominican Republic in the 44th minute, but the draw was enough to confirm the United States’ 20th appearance at a FIFA U-17 World Cup. 

The group concluded with hosts Saint Kitts and Nevis drawing 2-2 with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Savi-k Morton gave Saint Kitts and Nevis the lead in the 5th minute with a long-range strike before T’Quandre Burroughs doubled the advantage in the 13th minute.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines mounted a second-half comeback as Jaymar Williams scored in the 74th minute and Beau Hoyte equalised three minutes later.