Honduras took a major step toward direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a convincing 3–0 win over Haiti on Monday at the Estadio Nacional in Tegucigalpa.
Buoyed by assertive early possession and quick ball movement, as well as clinical finishing in the first half, Honduras moved alone to the top of Group C with 8 points. The Grenadiers are left chasing during the final two matchdays in November.
Honduras set the tempo early, exploiting space behind Haiti’s back line. Cristopher Meléndez opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a composed finish. Moments later, Anthony “Choco” Lozano doubled the lead in the 26th, breaking the offside trap and beating goalkeeper Johnny Placide with a right-footed strike to the left side. Just before halftime, in the 39th, Romell Quioto made it 3–0 after a high interception in Haiti’s box, a deft first touch, and a right-footed finish. In the span of half an hour, the Catrachos had forged a decisive gap, underscoring their technical control and dominance in key areas.
Haiti struggled to play through Honduras’s compact pressing system, which closed off passing lanes and forced turnovers in midfield. Frequently, attempts to build from the back broke down as Honduras’s forwards and midfielders applied coordinated pressure, regaining possession and immediately launching attacks at exposed defenders.
This first-half dynamic set the tone for the rest of the match, leaving the Grenadiers unable to recover.
At the start of the second period, Haiti’s staff made tactical adjustments aimed at regaining midfield control and defensive solidity. Leverton replaced Derrick Etienne Jr. at 46′ to add physical presence and stabilize possession. Later, Hannes Delcroix came on for Metusala, and Ruben Providence replaced Duckens Nazon in the 63rd minute to strengthen the flanks and freshen the attack. Late in the match, Deedson took over from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (85′) and Woobens Pacius from Frantzdy Pierrot (86′) to increase pressing and energy in forward areas.
The changes helped Haiti stem the bleeding and close down the gaps. However, the scoreline remained unchanged. Honduras managed its advantage with discipline, alternating between ball retention and transitions. The Grenadiers had better use of the flanks and a few higher recoveries but lacked precision with the final ball.
The changes helped Haiti stem the bleeding and close down the gaps. However, the scoreline remained unchanged. Honduras managed its advantage with discipline, alternating between ball retention and transitions. The Grenadiers had better use of the flanks and a few higher recoveries but lacked precision with the final ball.
Haiti’s Campaign So Far and the Stakes on the Table
Before this fixture, Haiti had been unbeaten in the phase, thanks to two draws: 0–0 against Honduras and 3–3 versus Costa Rica. They followed with a statement win over Nicaragua on October 9 (3–0). The defeat in Tegucigalpa erased part of that early cushion and reshaped the top of the group. Honduras now sits alone in first place with 8 points, a position that grants direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Costa Rica follows on 6 points after its win over Nicaragua. With just 5 points, Haiti is third. Nicaragua is at the bottom with 1 point.
In this context, every point will matter down the stretch as goal difference, home form, and the ability to close out matches could all weigh heavily in the final accounting.
Haiti will play its final two fixtures of the phase on November 13 and 18 at Stadion Ergilio Hato in Curaçao, facing Costa Rica and then Nicaragua.
The schedule offers Haiti a chance to reenter the race by building on the positives from Nicaragua and the group’s capacity to respond. The task is clear: take maximum points to stay within reach of Honduras and possibly reclaim top spot if the leaders slip elsewhere in the group.
Team sheets will be examined in detail in the coming weeks—whether for attacking patterns, defending set pieces (a past vulnerability), or managing weaker spells. Without inventing facts or speculating on lineups, Haiti’s objective is clear: capitalize on the November window to ramp up pressure on Honduras. Honduras is regarded as the strongest side in the group.
