Guatemala national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Guatemala women's national football team.

Guatemala
Nickname(s)Los Chapines (The Bicolor)
La Furia Azul (The Blue Fury)
La Azul y Blanco (The Blue and White)
Los Mayas (The Mayans)
Los Hombres de Maíz (The Men of Maize)
AssociationFederación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala (FEDEFUT)
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationUNCAF (Central America)
Head coachLuis Fernando Tena
CaptainJosé Carlos Pinto
Most capsCarlos Ruiz (133)[1]
Top scorerCarlos Ruiz (68)
Home stadiumEstadio Cementos Progreso
FIFA codeGUA
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current100 [2]
Highest50 (August 2006)
Lowest163 (November 1995)
First international
  9–0 Honduras 
(Guatemala City, Guatemala; 14 September 1921)
Biggest win
  10–0 Anguilla 
(Guatemala City, Guatemala; 5 September 2019)
  10–0 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 
(Guatemala City, Guatemala; 4 June 2021)
Biggest defeat
 Costa Rica 9–1  
(San José, Costa Rica; 24 July 1955)
CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup
Appearances21 (first in 1963)
Best resultChampions (1967)
CCCF Championship
Appearances6 (first in 1943)
Best resultRunners-up (1943, 1946, 1948)

The Guatemala national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Guatemala) represents Guatemala in men's international football and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala (English: National Football Federation of Guatemala). Founded in 1919, it has been affiliated with FIFA since 1946 and founding member of CONCACAF since 1961. It was also affiliated with CCCF, which was the former governing body of football in Central America and Caribbean and a predeccessor confederation of CONCACAF, from 1938 to 1961.

The team has made three Olympic tournament appearances, competing at the 1968, 1976, and 1988 Olympic Games. Guatemala have yet to qualify for the finals tournament of the World Cup, although they have reached the final round of qualification on four occasions.

Guatemala is one of three national teams from the Central American zone to have won the CONCACAF's top continental competition, winning the CONCACAF Championship in 1967. The team's best performance under the CONCACAF Gold Cup format was reaching the semi-finals twice (1996 and 2025). Regionally, it also won the Copa Centroamericana in 2001 (organized by UNCAF).

History

Beginnings

Guatemala created its first football team, made up of 22 players, on 23 August 1902. The team was split into two sides, blue and white. With time, clubs were made and eventually the Guatemala national team, nicknamed "la Azul y Blanco" (the blue and white), was created in 1921. Guatemala had its first game on 16 September 1921, in the Independence Centenary Games held in Guatemala City, against Honduras. Guatemala beat Honduras 9–0.[4] In the final, Guatemala were defeated 6–0 by Costa Rica.[5]

Guatemala had success in several editions of the CCCF Championship, the precursor of the Gold Cup, by being the runners-up in 1943, 1946, and 1948. In 1958, Guatemala began participating in the qualifying rounds of the World Cup. They finished last, without a point, in a group with Costa Rica and the Netherlands Antilles.[6]

Success in the 1960s

Guatemala's performance in the World Cup qualifying rounds began to improve in the 1960s. In 1962 they drew against both Costa Rica (4–4) and Honduras (1–1). However they again finished last in their qualifying group.[7]

Guatemala did not participate in the qualifying round in 1966, as FIFA refused their participation for administrative reasons.

Guatemala joined CONCACAF in 1961. In 1967, they again showed the progress they had made when by participating by winning the Gold Cup for the only time in their history.[8] In that tournament, hosted by Honduras, Guatemala began with a 2–1 win against Haiti, followed by a 1–0 win over the defending champions, Mexico, a 0–0 draw against Honduras, a 2–0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, and a 2–0 win over Nicaragua. The forward Manuel "Escopeta" Recinos was Guatemala's top scorer with four goals, including the goal against Mexico.

Guatemala were also the runners-up in the CONCACAF Championship in 1965 and 1969.

Main article: 1967 CONCACAF Championship

Results

Rank Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
1   9 5 4 1 0 7 1 6
2  Mexico 8 5 4 0 1 10 1 9
3  Honduras 6 5 2 2 1 4 2 2
4  Trinidad and Tobago 4 5 2 0 3 6 10 −4
5  Haiti 2 5 1 0 4 5 9 −4
6  Nicaragua 1 5 0 1 4 3 12 −9

In 1967, Guatemala showed further progress by qualifying for the 1968 Olympic football tournament in Mexico City. In the first round, they won 1–0 against Czechoslovakia, and 4–1 against Thailand, and lost to Bulgaria 2–1. They went on the next round, where they lost 1–0 to the eventual champions, Hungary.

2006 World Cup

Before the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Carlos Ruiz was the main focus in providing goals for the national team along with Juan Carlos Plata. Many other stars such as Fredy Garcia, Gonzalo Romero, Guillermo Ramirez, and Martin Machón were expected to play huge roles as well. In the 2006 World Cup qualifying, Guatemala advanced to the third round by beating Suriname 4–2. There they finished second in Group B, behind Costa Rica, with 10 points each. In the fourth round they started with a 0–0 draw against Panama and a 5–1 win against Trinidad and Tobago. Then their fortunes would change starting with a 2–0 loss away against the United States and at home against Mexico followed by a 3–2 loss against Costa Rica. Many fans have began to doubt the national team’s chances of clinching their first World Cup berth, that was until a last second strike from Gonzalo Romero that gave them a 2–1 win against Panama. They lost against Trinidad and Tobago 3–2, drew against the United States 0–0 and then lost to Mexico 5–2. Guatemala had 8 points with one game left, and a win alongside a Trinidad and Tobago defeat against Mexico would send them into the play-offs. They won 3–1 against Costa Rica but Trinidad and Tobago beat Mexico 2–1. They finished in fifth place, two points away from the play-off spot. Juan Carlos Plata and Martin Machón announced their retirement from International Football in 2006.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  United States 10 7 1 2 16 6 +10 22[a] 2006 FIFA World Cup — 2–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 2–0
2  Mexico 10 7 1 2 22 9 +13 22[a] 2–1 — 2–0 2–0 5–2 5–0
3  Costa Rica 10 5 1 4 15 14 +1 16 3–0 1–2 — 2–0 3–2 2–1
4  Trinidad and Tobago 10 4 1 5 10 15 −5 13 Inter-confederation play-offs 1–2 2–1 0–0 — 3–2 2–0
5   10 3 2 5 16 18 −2 11 0–0 0–2 3–1 5–1 — 2–1
6  Panama 10 0 2 8 4 21 −17 2 0–3 1–1 1–3 0–1 0–0 —
Source: [9]
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Tied on head-to-head points (3). Head-to-head goal difference: United States +1, Mexico −1.

2010 World Cup

After a third-place finish at the 2007 UNCAF Nations Cup, and reaching the knockout stage in the Gold Cup of the same year, along with a couple of satisfying friendly matches, including a 3–2 win against Mexico, Hernán Darío Gómez was to be the next coach to lead Guatemala into the Hexagonal in the World Cup qualifying stage. However, after losing 5–0 in early 2008 against the under-23 Argentine team, the Colombian soon departed. During 2010 World Cup qualifying, expectations of qualifying for the finals were set among the national team as Ramon Maradiaga returned as coach. They began well by advancing to the third round by defeating Saint Lucia 9–1 on aggregate.

In the third round, Guatemala began with a 1–0 home loss to the United States, with controversies surrounding the Panamanian referee Roberto Moreno, including not awarding a penalty to Guatemala in the first half after a handball from Steve Cherundolo, as well as Gustavo Cabrera being sent off after colliding with Eddie Lewis in the second half. In their second match, Los Chapines salvaged a draw in the closing minutes of the game against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain after Carlos Gallardo deflected a free kick by Marco Pappa. On 10 September, Cuba shocked the Guatemalan supporters by taking the lead after Roberto Linares scored in the 25th minute, but by half-time, Carlos Ruiz had equalised, and in the second half, Ruiz scored again. Mario Rodríguez and José Manuel Contreras also scored and Guatemala won 4–1.

On 11 October, many fans gathered around the Estadio Mateo Flores for the game against Trinidad and Tobago. Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Soca Warriors were able to hold Guatemala to a 0–0 stalemate. Guatemala then lost in Cuba, falling behind 1–0 after Jaime Colome scored a penalty. Marco Pappa volleyed in an equalizer in the 80th minute, but Urgelles won the match for Cuba in the 90th minute. Meanwhile, the Trinidadians defeated the United States 2–1 at home, putting them in second place. Maradiaga was fired and Benjamin Monterroso was appointed, focusing on the Copa UNCAF the following January. A 2–0 away loss against the United States confirmed the elimination of the national team from the World Cup.

At the UNCAF nations cup, Monterroso wanted to introduce more youthful players into the starting line up such as Minor Lopez, Ricardo Jerez and Wilson Lalin, but Guatemala lost both group stage matches against Costa Rica and also lost 2–0 to Nicaragua in the play-off match for the final berth to attend the next Gold Cup; Minor Lopez was the lone goal scorer for Los Bicolores. As a result, the national team were inactive for the next two years and Monterroso stepped down after two months in charge.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1  United States 6 5 0 1 14 3 +11 15 — 3–0 2–0 6–1
2  Trinidad and Tobago 6 3 2 1 9 6 +3 11 2–1 — 1–1 3–0
3   6 1 2 3 6 7 −1 5 0–1 0–0 — 4–1
4  Cuba 6 1 0 5 5 18 −13 3 0–1 1–3 2–1 —
Source: [10]

2014 World Cup

In May 2010, the Uruguayan-born Paraguayan Ever Hugo Almeida was appointed as the Guatemala's next coach. At the 2011 Copa Centroamericana, formerly known as the "UNCAF Nations Cup", Guatemala finished in fifth place, losing 2–0 to Costa Rica and 3–1 Honduras before defeating Nicaragua 2–1 to qualify for the 2011 Gold Cup.

At the Gold Cup, Guatemala drew 0–0 against Honduras despite being reduced to nine men. They lost against a physically superior Jamaica 2–0, but managed to redeem themselves by beating Grenada 4–0, with goals from José Javier del Águila, Marco Pappa, Carlos Ruiz, and Carlos Gallardo. In the quarter-finals, they lost to 2–1 the reigning champions Mexico, after Ruiz had given them the lead in the first half.

For the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Guatemala began in the second round with six wins in six games, advancing to a third round group alongside the United States, Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda. Before the third round, three key players – Guillermo Ramirez, Gustavo Cabrera and Yony Flores – were sent home during a practice session after their team-mates Ruiz and Luis Rodriguez heard of their involvement in money laundering and bribery in fixing multiple fixtures; they were subsequently banned for life.[11]

The team began with an away loss to Jamaica, with Dwight Pezzarossi only managing to pull back one goal in stoppage time. In the next match, Guatemala drew at home against the United States, with Marco Pappa's free kick salvaging a draw for the Guatemalans. At home against Antigua and Barbuda, Guatemala again fell behind, but after the Antiguan goalkeeper Molvin James was sent off for wasting time, Ruiz scored a brace and a goal from Pezzarossi sealed a 3–1 victory. Four days later, a goal from Ruiz sufficed for an away win against the same opponents in North Sound.

Guatemala beat Jamaica at home 2–1, leaving them needing a draw against the United States to progress to the final stage of the qualifiers. After they took the lead in the first five minutes thanks to Ruiz, the United States scored three unanswered goals, and Guatemala finished behind Jamaica on goal difference.

In January 2013, still led by Almeida, Guatemala participated in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana. With a team of mainly younger players, they could only manage three draws in their group play (1–1 against Nicaragua, 0–0 against Belize and 1–1 against Costa Rica), losing out to Belize for direct qualification for the 2013 Gold Cup. They faced Panama in the fifth place match, but lost 3–1, and Almeida stepped down in favour of the technical director, Victor Hugo Monzón.

Group E

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   6 6 0 0 19 3 +16 18 Advance to third round — 3–1 4–0 3–0
2  Belize 6 2 1 3 9 10 −1 7 1–2 — 1–1 1–4
3  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 1 2 3 4 12 −8 5 0–3 0–2 — 2–1
4  Grenada 6 1 1 4 7 14 −7 4 1–4 0–3 1–1 —
Source: [12]

Third Round (Group A)

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  United States 6 4 1 1 11 6 +5 13 Advance to fourth round
2  Jamaica 6 3 1 2 9 6 +3 10
3   6 3 1 2 9 8 +1 10
4  Antigua and Barbuda 6 0 1 5 4 13 −9 1
Source: [12]

2016 FIFA suspension

On 28 October 2016, the Guatemalan football federation was suspended indefinitely by FIFA, after the international football governing body had appointed an oversight committee to look into allegations of corruption.[13] FIFA stated that the Guatemalan federation (FEDEFUT) had rejected the committee's mandate to run FEDEFUT's business, organize elections, and modernize its statutes, and would remain barred from international competition until FEDEFUT ratified an extension of the mandate.[14] The football team missed their chance on qualifying on the 2017 and 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments (2017 Copa Centroamericana and 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying) as they missed deadlines to have their suspension lifted.

The suspension was lifted on 31 May 2018 after FEDEFUT's normalization committee became fully operational.[15]

2018 World Cup

After their FIFA suspension, Guatemala resumed normal operations and went through World Cup Qualification. They did not advance beyond qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Guatemala drew in the first leg against Bermuda, and won 1-0 in the second. After a loss of 0-1 to Antigua and Barbuda in the first leg, they won 2-0 in the second leg. Overall, they placed 3rd in their table and failed to advance further.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  United States 6 4 1 1 20 3 +17 13 Advance to fifth round
2  Trinidad and Tobago 6 3 2 1 13 9 +4 11
3   6 3 1 2 18 11 +7 10
4  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 0 0 6 6 34 −28 0
Source: FIFA

2022 World Cup

Between 2018–2022, Guatemala had mixed results in their international meetings, losing 0–3 to intracontinental neighbors, Mexico, and 0–2 to Panama. However, they did beat Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, French Guiana, and El Salvador by large margins, those being 10–0, 2–0, and 4–0 respectively.

Before qualification, they had lost twice, drawn once and won only 3 of 6 matches in early 2020 before 2022 World Cup qualification.

Guatemala did not advance beyond qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Guatemala won 1–0 against Cuba with a goal from Luis Martinez in the 60th minute. They then won 0–3 against British Virgin Islands. Guatemala then scored 10 goals by 10 different players against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. They drew 0–0 against Curaçao, leading to Curaçao and Guatemala being drawn with 10 points each in the table, and Curaçao went on to the next round of qualification due to having more goals scored, thus eliminating Guatemala from further eliminatory matches in qualification.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Curaçao 4 3 1 0 15 1 +14 10 Advance to second round
2   4 3 1 0 14 0 +14 10
3  Cuba 4 2 0 2 7 3 +4 6
4  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4 1 0 3 3 16 −13 3
5  British Virgin Islands 4 0 0 4 0 19 −19 0
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Road to 2026 World Cup

Guatemala had a historic run in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, topping Group D, where they beat Cuba 1–0,[16] drew against Canada,[17] and won 2–3 in their final group stage game against Guadeloupe.[18] They lost in the quarter-finals against Jamaica with a 0–1 score. They ended in fifth place at the tournament.[19] In the following tournament, the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League, Guatemala finished 4th in Group A of League A, finishing below Martinique and Panama. They only won 1 of 4 matchdays with a 2–0 win against El Salvador, losing against Trinidad and Tobago and Panama.

In the beginning of 2024, Guatemala played a friendly against European national team Iceland, where they lost 0–1 in a late winner by Ísak Þorvaldsson in the 79th minute.[20][21] In March, they played against South American national team Ecuador, losing 2–0 from an early 8th minute goal by John Yeboah and a late finisher 86th minute goal by Gonzalo Plata.[22][23] Guatemala were winless in their first four national fixtures of 2024. Guatemala saw victories during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification in their first 2 games, winning 6–0 against Dominica[24] and 0–3 against the British Virgin Islands.[25][26] In June, Guatemala played against 2022 FIFA World Cup champions Argentina, losing 4–1[27] with their only goal being by Lisandro Martinez, who scored an own goal in the fourth minute after a Guatemalan freekick.[28] It is the first and only goal Guatemala has ever scored against Argentina.[29] Nicholas Hagen recorded 6 saves against Argentina,[30] with 5 being in the penalty box. Hagen saved an attempted bicycle kick from Ángel Di María, preventing an Argentinian goal.[31] Guatemala participated in the 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League, and ended their run in the tournament after placing 3rd in League A on goal difference. [32]

In 2025, Guatemala achieved their best result in the CONCACAF Gold Cup by finishing 3rd. They qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup after beating Guyana 4–3 on aggregate in the preliminary round. [33] Guatemala placed ahead of Jamaica and secured a 0-1 win (being their first in a Gold Cup tournament) against them marking only their 6th win against them.[34] However, goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen suffered an injury that would prevent him from appearing in the next round of the competition, to which manager Tena responded with the start of Kenderson Navarro, who had not made many appearences with the national team. Guatemala advanced to the quarter-finals after placing 2nd in their group, [35] and after doing so beat Canada 5-6 in penalties after drawing 1-1 after full time to qualify for the semi-finals. [36]

Main article: 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Panama 3 3 0 0 10 3 +7 9 Advance to knockout stage
2   3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 6
3  Jamaica 3 1 0 2 3 6 −3 3
4  Guadeloupe 3 0 0 3 5 10 −5 0
Source: CONCACAF

After having won the quarter-final against Canada, Guatemala qualified for the semi-finals for the first time since 1996,[37] and faced the United States. Guatemala ended their tournament run in a 2-1 loss with a goal from youngster Olger Escobar in the 80th minute. [38] Guatemala's international rankings moved up six places, reaching 100th in July 10, 2025. [39]

During the second round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, Guatemala secured their advance to the third round of qualification after beating Dominican Republic 4–2.[40]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Jamaica 4 4 0 0 8 2 +6 12 Advance to third round
2   4 3 0 1 13 5 +8 9
3  Dominican Republic 4 2 0 2 11 5 +6 6
4  Dominica 4 1 0 3 5 14 −9 3
5  British Virgin Islands 4 0 0 4 0 11 −11 0
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Home stadium

Main article: Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores

The Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores, also known as Coloso de la Zona 5, is a multi-use national stadium in Guatemala City, the largest in Guatemala. It was built in 1948, to host the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1950, and was renamed after long-distance runner Mateo Flores, winner of the 1952 Boston Marathon. It has a capacity of 26,000 seats.

Used mostly for football matches, the stadium has hosted the majority of the home matches of the Guatemala national football team throughout its entire history. Its highest record attendance was of 82,000 during the 1950 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier Period
Sportica 1980–1981
Erima 1981–1983
Adidas 1986
Pro-Specs 1988–1989
Erima 1992–1994
Umbro 1996–1997
Aba Sport 1997–1998
Atletica 1998–2002
Adidas 2005–2007
Puma 2007–2010
Umbro 2011–present

Results and fixtures

Main article: Guatemala national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

27 July Friendly   0–1  El Salvador Carson, United States
19:30 UTC−7 Report
  • E. Rivas 83'
 Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Referee: Oliver Vergara (Panama)
1 September Friendly Uruguay A'  1–1   Fort Lauderdale, United States
19:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Chase Stadium
Referee: Fernando Hernández (Mexico)
5 September 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League Group stage   3–1  Martinique Guatemala City, Guatemala
20:00 UTC−6
Report
Stadium: Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores
Attendance: 14,006
Referee: José Torres (Puerto Rico)
9 September 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League Group stage   0–0  Costa Rica Guatemala City, Guatemala
20:00 UTC−6 Report Stadium: Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores
Attendance: 18,115
Referee: Daniel Quintero (Mexico)
11 October 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League Group stage Guyana  1–3   Leonora, Guyana
21:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Synthetic Track and Field Facility
Referee: Ismael Cornejo (El Salvador)
15 October 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League Group stage Costa Rica  3–0   San José, Costa Rica
18:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Attendance: 20,450
Referee: Joe Dickerson (United States)

2025

16 March Friendly Honduras  1–2   Fort Lauderdale, United States
15:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Chase Stadium
Referee: Luis Santander (Mexico)
21 March 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification Guyana  3–2   Bridgetown, Barbados
21:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: BFA Technical Centre
Attendance: 136
Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)
25 March 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification   2–0
(4–3 agg.)		  Guyana Guatemala City, Guatemala
18:30 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Estadio Cementos Progreso
Attendance: 7,200
Referee: Lukasz Szpala (United States)
Note: Guatemala won 4–3 on aggregate and qualified for the Finals.
31 May Friendly El Salvador  1–1   Chattanooga, United States
20:00 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Finley Stadium
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   4–2  Dominican Republic Guatemala City, Guatemala
20:00 UTC−6
Report
Stadium: Estadio Cementos Progreso
Attendance: 13,642
Referee: Guido Gonzalez (United States)
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Jamaica  3–0   Kingston, Jamaica
18:00 UTC−5
Report Stadium: Independence Park
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: David Gómez (Costa Rica)
16 June 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS Jamaica  0–1   Carson, United States
19:00 UTC−7 Report
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Attendance: 18,262
Referee: Juan Calderón (Costa Rica)
20 June 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS   0–1  Panama Austin, United States
21:00 UTC−5 Report
Stadium: Q2 Stadium
Attendance: 12,829
Referee: Adonai Escobedo (Mexico)
24 June 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS Guadeloupe  2–3   Houston, United States
18:00 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 19,417
Referee: Marco Ortíz (Mexico)
29 June 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup QF Canada  1–1
(5–6 p)		   Minneapolis, United States
15:00 UTC−5 J. David 30' (pen.) Report Rubin 69' Stadium: U.S. Bank Stadium
Attendance: 32,289
Referee: Keylor Herrera (Costa Rica)
Penalties
2 July 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup SF United States  2–1   St. Louis, United States
18:00 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Energizer Park
Attendance: 22,423
Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   v  El Salvador Guatemala
--:--  Stadium: TBD
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Panama  v   Panama
--:--  Stadium: TBD
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Suriname  v   Suriname
--:--  Stadium: TBD
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification El Salvador  v   El Salvador
--:--  Stadium: TBD
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   v  Panama Guatemala
--:--  Stadium: TBD
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   v  Suriname Guatemala
--:--  Stadium: TBD

Coaching history

As of 2 July 2025[41]

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup on 5 June 2025.[48]

Caps and goals are correct as of 30 June 2025, after the match against Canada.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Nicholas Hagen (1996-08-02) 2 August 1996 52 0 Columbus Crew
12 1GK Kenderson Navarro (2002-02-25) 25 February 2002 4 0 Municipal
21 1GK Luis Morán (1996-05-31) 31 May 1996 0 0 Antigua
2 2DF José Ardón (2000-01-20) 20 January 2000 35 1 Antigua
3 2DF Nicolás Samayoa (1995-08-02) 2 August 1995 32 2 Free agent
4 2DF José Carlos Pinto (1993-06-16) 16 June 1993 73 4 Comunicaciones
7 2DF Aaron Herrera (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 18 0 D.C. United
13 2DF Stheven Robles (1995-11-12) 12 November 1995 37 2 Comunicaciones
16 2DF José Morales (1996-12-03) 3 December 1996 45 3 Municipal
24 2DF Carlos Aguilar (2006-10-25) 25 October 2006 4 0 Malacateco
5 3MF José Rosales (1993-06-24) 24 June 1993 15 1 Antigua
8 3MF Rodrigo Saravia (1993-02-22) 22 February 1993 63 0 Municipal
10 3MF Pedro Altán (1997-06-04) 4 June 1997 35 3 Municipal
17 3MF Óscar Castellanos (2000-01-18) 18 January 2000 53 3 Antigua
22 3MF Jonathan Franco (2003-07-26) 26 July 2003 18 0 Municipal
25 3MF Kevin Ramírez (2002-08-01) 1 August 2002 5 0 Malacateco
26 3MF Matt Evans (2006-05-25) 25 May 2006 1 0 Los Angeles FC 2
6 4FW Erick Lemus (2001-02-05) 5 February 2001 4 1 Comunicaciones
9 4FW Rubio Rubin (1996-03-01) 1 March 1996 34 13 Charleston Battery
11 4FW Rudy Muñoz (2005-02-06) 6 February 2005 10 0 Municipal
14 4FW Darwin Lom (1997-07-14) 14 July 1997 41 12 Comunicaciones
15 4FW Damian Rivera (2002-12-08) 8 December 2002 0 0 Phoenix Rising
18 4FW Oscar Santis (1999-03-25) 25 March 1999 47 16 Antigua
19 4FW Arquímides Ordóñez (2003-08-05) 5 August 2003 8 0 Zimbru Chișinău
20 4FW Olger Escobar (2006-09-11) 11 September 2006 13 2 CF Montréal
23 4FW Elmer Cardoza (2002-07-29) 29 July 2002 17 0 Xelajú

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Kevin Moscoso (1993-06-13) 13 June 1993 5 0 Mixco v.  Costa Rica, 15 October 2024
DF Allen Yanes (1997-07-04) 4 July 1997 19 1 Deportivo Mixco v.  Guyana, 25 March 2025
DF Kevin Ruiz (1995-05-18) 18 May 1995 11 0 Xelajú v.  Costa Rica, 15 October 2024
DF Jeshua Urizar (2004-10-19) 19 October 2004 2 0 Mixco v.  Costa Rica, 15 October 2024
MF Alejandro Galindo (1992-03-05) 5 March 1992 58 8 Aurora v.  Guyana, 25 March 2025
MF Rudy Barrientos (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 18 2 Municipal v.  Guyana, 21 March 2025PRE
MF Carlos Mejía (1991-11-13) 13 November 1991 55 8 Chiquimulilla v.  Martinique, 6 September 2024INJ
FW Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (1992-04-15) 15 April 1992 17 0 Milton Keynes Dons v.  Jamaica, 10 June 2025
FW José Carlos Martínez (1997-10-10) 10 October 1997 28 4 Municipal v.  Guyana, 25 March 2025

INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player retired from the national team.
SUS Player is serving suspension.
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Records

As of 30 June 2025.[49]

Players in bold are still active with Guatemala.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Carlos Ruiz 133 68 1998–2016
2 Guillermo Ramírez 106 16 1997–2012
3 Gustavo Cabrera 104 2 2000–2012
4 Fredy Thompson 96 3 2001–2015
5 Juan Carlos Plata 87 35 1996–2010
6 Gonzalo Romero 83 9 2000–2012
7 Julio Girón 82 0 1992–2006
8 Edgar Estrada 80 0 1995–2003
José Manuel Contreras 80 5 2006–2021
10 Mario Rodríguez 79 10 2003–2013

Most goals

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Carlos Ruiz 68 133 0.51 1998–2016
2 Juan Carlos Plata 35 87 0.4 1996–2010
3 Carlos Toledo 25 — — 1943–1953
4 Mario Camposeco 23 — — 1943–1951
Freddy García 23 73 0.32 1998–2012
6 Oscar Enrique Sánchez 19 — — 1976–1990
7 Oscar Santis 16 47 0.34 2021–present
Edwin Westphal 16 47 0.34 1985–1998
Dwight Pezzarossi 16 72 0.22 2000–2012
Guillermo Ramírez 16 106 0.15 1997–2012

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1934
1938
1950 Did not enter Declined participation
1954
1958 Did not qualify 3 0 0 3 4 12
1962 4 0 2 2 7 10
1966 Entry not accepted Entry not accepted
1970 Did not qualify 4 1 2 1 5 3
1974 7 2 3 2 6 6
1978 11 4 3 4 23 16
1982 8 3 3 2 10 2
1986 4 2 1 1 7 3
1990 10 3 2 5 9 11
1994 2 0 1 1 0 2
1998 8 4 2 2 9 10
2002 13 6 3 4 23 15
2006 18 7 4 7 27 29
2010 8 3 2 3 15 8
2014 12 9 1 2 28 11
2018 10 5 2 3 21 12
2022 4 3 1 0 14 0
2026 Qualification in progress 4 3 0 1 13 5
2030 To be determined To be determined
2034
Total – 0/19 – – – – – – 130 55 32 43 221 155

CONCACAF Gold Cup

Main article: Guatemala at the CONCACAF Gold Cup
CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1963 Round 1 6th 4 1 2 1 7 6 Squad Qualified automatically
1965 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 11 5 Squad Qualified as hosts
1967 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 7 1 Squad 2 2 0 0 6 2
1969 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 2 0 10 2 Squad Qualified as defending champions
1971 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
1973 Fifth place 5th 5 0 3 2 4 6 Squad 2 2 0 0 2 0
1977 Fifth place 5th 5 1 1 3 8 10 Squad 6 3 2 1 15 6
1981 Did not qualify 8 3 3 2 10 2
1985 Round 1 5th 4 2 1 1 7 3 Squad Qualified automatically
1989 Fourth place 4th 6 1 1 4 4 7 Squad 4 2 1 1 5 4
1991 Group stage 7th 3 1 0 2 1 5 Squad 3 0 2 1 0 1
1993 Did not enter Did not enter
1996 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 3 5 Squad 4 2 0 2 2 5
1998 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 3 4 Squad 5 3 2 0 10 3
2000 Group stage 10th 2 0 1 1 3 5 Squad 5 3 1 1 5 2
2002 Group stage 12th 2 0 0 2 1 4 Squad 5 2 3 0 9 5
2003 Group stage 11th 2 0 1 1 1 3 Squad 5 3 1 1 10 4
2005 Group stage 11th 3 0 1 2 4 9 Squad 5 3 1 1 10 5
2007 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 2 5 Squad 5 3 1 1 3 2
2009 Did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 6
2011 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 5 4 Squad 3 1 0 2 3 6
2013 Did not qualify 4 0 3 1 3 5
2015 Group stage 12th 3 0 1 2 1 4 Squad 4 3 0 1 7 4
2017 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
2019
2021 Group stage 13th 3 0 1 2 1 6 Squad 6 5 1 0 30 1
2023 Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 1 1 4 3 Squad 6 4 1 1 11 4
2025 Semi-finals 3rd 5 2 1 2 6 6 Squad 6 3 1 2 10 8
Total 1 Title 21/28 81 23 23 35 93 103 — 93 47 24 22 153 77

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
League Finals
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R Year Result Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019–20 C C 4 4 0 0 25 0 2021 Ineligible
2022–23 B D 6 4 1 1 11 4 2023
2023–24 A A 4 1 1 2 5 7 2024 Did not qualify
2024–25 A A 4 2 1 1 6 5 2025
2026–27 A To be determined 2027 To be determined
Total — — 18 11 3 4 47 16 — Total 0 Titles — — — — — — —

Copa Centroamericana

Copa Centroamericana record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1991 Third place 3rd 3 0 2 1 0 1
1993 Did not enter
1995 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 0 2 2 5
1997 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 2 0 10 3
1999 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 5 2
2001 Champions 1st 5 2 3 0 9 5
2003 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 10 4
2005 Third place 3rd 5 3 1 1 10 5
2007 Third place 3rd 5 3 1 1 3 2
2009 Round 1 6th 3 0 0 3 1 6
2011 Fifth place 5th 3 1 0 2 3 6
2013 Sixth place 6th 4 0 3 1 3 5
2014 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 7 4
2017 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Total 1 Title 12/14 51 23 14 14 63 48

CCCF Championship

CCCF Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1941 Did not enter
1943 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 21 11
1946 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 20 10
1948 Runners-up 2nd 8 3 4 1 20 16
1951 Did not enter
1953 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 8 8
1955 Sixth place 6th 6 1 0 5 6 9
1957 Did not enter
1960
1961 Round 1 5th 4 2 0 2 7 7
Total Runners-up 6/10 35 16 8 11 82 61

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
1900 Only club teams participated
1904
1908 No national representative
1912
1920 Not an IOC member
1924
1928
1936
1948 Did not participate
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968 Quarter-finals 8th 4 2 0 2 6 4 Squad
1972 Did not qualify
1976 Group stage 10th 3 0 2 1 2 5 Squad
1980 Did not qualify
1984
1988 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 2 12 Squad
1992 Did not qualify
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
Total Quarter-finals 3/20 3 0 1 2 2 8 —

Note: Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since 1992.

Pan American Games

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1951 Did not participate
1955
1959
1963
1967
1971
1975
1979 Group stage 7th 2 0 1 1 2 4
1983 Bronze medal 3rd 4 1 2 1 6 4
1987 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 3 2
1991 Did not qualify
1995
1999 Group stage 7th 4 1 1 2 4 5
2003 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 5
2007 Did not qualify
2011
2015
2019
2023
Total 1 Bronze medal 5/18 16 3 6 7 17 20

Note: Football at the Pan American Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1999.

Central American and Caribbean Games

Central American and Caribbean Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Round 1 6th 2 0 0 2 3 16
1935 Sixth place 6th 5 0 1 4 6 17
1938 Did not qualify
1946 Sixth place 6th 6 1 1 4 12 20
1950 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 1 2 4 4
1954 Did not qualify
1959
1962
1966 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 5 9
1970 Did not qualify
1974
1978
1982
1986 Withdrew
1990 Did not qualify
1993
1998 Group stage 10th 3 1 0 2 4 9
2002 Quarter-finals 10th 3 1 1 1 4 4
2006 Did not qualify
2010 Seventh place 7th 2 0 1 1 0 3
2014 Did not qualify
2018 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Total Runners-up 8/22 31 6 7 18 38 82

Head-to-head record

Main article: Guatemala national football team results

As of 2 July 2025 after the match against  United States.[29]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

  1. ^ Includes matches against  Netherlands Antilles.
  2. ^ Includes matches against  Soviet Union.

Honours

Continental

Regional

Friendly

Awards

Summary

Only official honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

Senior Competition Total
CONCACAF Championship/CONCACAF Gold Cup 1 2 1 4
CCCF Championship1 0 3 1 4
Total 1 5 2 8
Notes
  1. Official regional competition organized by CCCF. It was a predecessor confederation of CONCACAF, affiliated with FIFA as the former governing body of football in Central America and Caribbean, from 1938 to 1961.

See also

References

  1. ^ Guatemala – Record International Players Archived 3 December 2022 at the Wayback Machine RSSSF
  2. ^ "Latest Men's World Ranking". FIFA. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  4. ^ RSSSF.com: «Guatemala – List of International Matches» Archived 15 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine (en inglés)
  5. ^ Courtney, Barrie (14 August 2008). "Guatemala International Soccer Matches Since 1920". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  6. ^ Rinke, Stefan (2014). The FIFA World Cup 1930 – 2010. Wallstein Verlag: Göttingen. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9783835314573.
  7. ^ "Preliminaries North, Central America and Caribbean". Fifa.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  8. ^ "CONCACAF NATIONS CUP 1967". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  9. ^ "FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF) 2006, football - table and standings". soccer365.me. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  10. ^ "FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF) 2010, football - table and standings". soccer365.me. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  11. ^ "La vez que futbolistas guatemaltecos fueron suspendidos de por vida por amaño de partidos". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  12. ^ a b "FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF) 2014, football - table and standings". soccer365.me. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  13. ^ Menchu, Sofia (28 October 2016). "FIFA suspends Guatemalan soccer federation, citing resistance to oversight". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  14. ^ "Guatemala suspended from international football". Reuters. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  15. ^ "FIFA lifts suspension of Guatemalan Football Association". FIFA. 31 May 2018. Archived from the original on 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  16. ^ "Guatemala 1-0 Cuba (Jun 27, 2023)". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Guatemala 0-0 Canada (Jul 1, 2023)". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Guatemala 3–2 Guadeloupe (Jul 4, 2023)". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  19. ^ "2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Schedule". MLS. MLS Soccer. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Iceland 1–0 Guatemala (Jan 13, 2024)". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Guatemala vs Iceland. International Match". skysports.com. Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Ecuador vs Guatemala - Final Score - March 22, 2024". Fox Sports. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Ecuador 2–0 Guatemala (Mar 21, 2024)". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Thu 6 Jun 2024 ‧ Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers - 2nd Round - Group E". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  25. ^ Haynes, Kamal. "GUATEMALA OUTCLASSES BVI 3–0 IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS". 284media.com. 284media. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Curaçao, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Suriname stay perfect". fifa.com. FIFA. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Guatemala vs Argentina - Final Score - June 15, 2024". Fox Sports. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Messi and Martinez score twice in Argentina win". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  29. ^ a b "World Football Elo Ratings: Guatemala".
  30. ^ "Sat 15 Jun 2024 ‧ Friendlies - Friendlies 1". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Argentina vs. Guatemala score, result: Lionel Messi scores two in pre-Copa America win". sportingnews.com. The Sporting News. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  32. ^ "2024-25 CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE STANDINGS". foxsports.com. Fox Sports. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  33. ^ "2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifying - Prelims". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  34. ^ "Jamaica vs. Guatemala". foxsports.com. FOX Sports. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  35. ^ "Canada to face Guatemala in Gold Cup quarters after win over El Salvador". tsn.ca. TSN. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  36. ^ "Guatemala 1-1 Canada". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Five Things to Know: USMNT vs. Guatemala in Gold Cup Semifinal". ussoccer.com. USMNT. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  38. ^ "USMNT makes Concacaf Gold Cup final with win over Guatemala: Semifinal highlights". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  39. ^ "Latest Men's World Ranking". FIFA. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  40. ^ "2026 World Cup Qualifying - Concacaf, Second Round". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  41. ^ Olenev, Maxim (15 July 1999). "Guatemala National Team Coaches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  42. ^ a b "Guatemala, 100 años de Fútbol". prensalibre.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006.
  43. ^ a b c d "Guatemala, 100 años de Fútbol". prensalibre.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006.
  44. ^ "Guatemala, 100 años de Fútbol". prensalibre.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006.
  45. ^ "Guatemala, 100 años de Fútbol". prensalibre.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006.
  46. ^ "La historia del chileno que será el técnico de la selección de Guatemala". 9 August 2013. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  47. ^ "Five Things to Know: USMNT vs. Guatemala in Gold Cup Semifinal". ussoccer.com. USMNT. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  48. ^ "Rosters confirmed for 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup". Concacaf. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  49. ^ Passo Alpuin, Luis Fernando. "Guatemala - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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