Puerto Rico national football team

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

Puerto Rico
Nickname(s)El Huracán Azul
(The Blue Hurricane)
Los Boricuas
(The Boricuas)
AssociationFederación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol (FPF)
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationCFU (Caribbean)
Head coachCharlie Trout
CaptainNicolás Cardona
Most capsHéctor Ramos (36)
Top scorerRicardo Rivera (19)
Home stadiumEstadio Juan Ramón Loubriel
Estadio Centroamericano
FIFA codePUR
First colors
Second colors
FIFA ranking
Current 157 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest97 (March 1994)
Lowest202 (November 2004)
First international
 Cuba 1–1  
(Havana, Cuba; 12 November 1940)
Biggest win
  9–0 Saint Martin 
(Port-au-Prince, Haiti; 9 September 2012)
Biggest defeat
 Netherlands Antilles 15–0  
(Caracas, Venezuela; 15 January 1959)

The Puerto Rico national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Puerto Rico) represents Puerto Rico in men's international football, and are governed by the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol (English: Puerto Rican Football Federation). The team's nickname is El Huracán Azul meaning The Blue Hurricane.[3] They are members of the Caribbean Football Union, and part of CONCACAF. The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

History

1940–1990

Puerto Rico's first international match was against Cuba in 1940 in which they drew 1–1. They did not record a win until a 3–0 result in 1970 against the Bahamas. In 1972, Puerto Rico recorded a 1–0 win against Panama in a friendly. Wins between the 1980s and 1990s were mainly against the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Martinique.[4]

Chris Armas years (1993–1994)

Chris Armas played for Puerto Rico in the 1993 Caribbean Cup. In the tournament, Puerto Rico established a 4-game win streak without conceding a goal.[4] The competition was not then recognized by FIFA, and so his five matches were considered friendlies. As a result, he was later allowed to switch his allegiance to the United States,[5] for whom he has since been capped over 50 times.

1995–2007

Between 1995 and 2007 Puerto Rico did not record a win, and had only four draws. During this time, the team dropped down in the FIFA Rankings to 202nd.[4]

2008–2015

Over the past few years, Puerto Rico has begun to emerge as a contender, like they were in the 1990s. In 2008, they won two games as visitors against Bermuda (1–0 and 2–0), drew 2–2 with Trinidad and Tobago. They also won for the first time since 1994 when they beat the Dominican Republic in the first round of the World Cup qualifiers. Although they lost the first leg 4–0 to Honduras, they fought a 2–2 tie in the home leg in the second round. The Puerto Rican Football Federation has announced plans that would allow them to participate in the next editions of the Caribbean Cup and Gold Cup.[6] Most capped player Andres Cabrero is the only active player as of 2021 who participated in said 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Puerto Rico was supposed to make their debut in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games on home soil in Mayagüez, but due to the controversy of CONCACAF not approving the stadiums, the team couldn't compete in the football event. The team was supposed to play in Venezuela instead but due to the lack of teams, the male event was canceled.[7]

Puerto Rico faced World and European champion Spain in a friendly on 15 August 2012, losing 2–1 in the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

On 5 June 2015, Puerto Rico played a friendly against Bermuda, their last friendly before the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup ending in a 1–1 draw. After losing to Grenada 2–1 in the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Puerto Rico's Interim coach Jose 'Cukito' Martinez resigned and a few days later, the Uruguayan Carlos Avedissian solved his visa problems and could finally arrive as the head coach of the national team. On 11 December 2015, Puerto Rico played a friendly against MLS team New York City, losing 2–1.

2016–2020

Carlos Avedissian / Jack Stefanowski era

Carlos Avedissian took charge of the team in 2015 forming a roster mainly of players from the Puerto Rico local leagues. On 22 May 2016, Puerto Rico played a friendly match against the United States for the first time ever ending in a 3–1 loss.[8] For discrepancies with the Federation, Avedissian was substituted by Jack Stefanowski for the second round on an interim basis. With this team mainly of local players, Puerto Rico advanced for the first time to the third round of the 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification when they defeated Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda in the second round, only two games away from reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time. Stefanowski had to leave the technical director position because he was an assistant for Puerto Rico FC.

On 3 September 2016, Puerto Rico faced India for the first time in an international friendly match at the Mumbai Football Arena, but were defeated in the contest 1–4.[9]

Carlos García Cantarero era

After Stefanowski left the team to continue with Puerto Rico FC, Carlos Cantarero assumed as head coach of the national team with Jose Cukito Martinez (who had coached most of the local players in the Puerto Rico League) as assistant coach. The team played three friendlies, two against the Dominican Republic and one against India, prior to the third round matches against Antigua and Barbuda and Curaçao. Coach Cantarero couldn't coach in the friendlies due to visa problems. After the second friendly against the Dominican Republic Assistant Coach Martinez left the team prior to the trip to India and David Guillemat assumed the position. Regardless of the administrative debacle, and coaching changes, Puerto Rico lost the decisive match against Curaçao after being 2–0 up front for which Curaçao as head of group advanced to the Gold Cup.

Puerto Rico didn't play an international match until the summer of 2017 when they played to a scoreless draw against Indonesia.[10]

After the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September that left the entire island powerless. On 7 October it was reported MLS club, Orlando City SC announced a Fuerza Puerto Rico’ Friendly for 4 November with all the net proceeds from the match going towards the United for Puerto Rico initiative to raise funds and aid recovery efforts for the island. Reactivating the national team for a 3rd time this year.[11] The friendly marked Orlando City’s last game of 2017, as well team captain, Kaká with the lions.[12] Puerto Rico lost the exhibition match 6–1.[13]

Amado Guevara era

In May 2018, the Puerto Rican Football Federation announced that Carlos Cantarero would no longer continue as head coach of the national team, with former Honduran player Amado Guevara taking over as head coach.[14]

2020s

On 19 March 2023, just days before the Nations League, the Puerto Rican Football Federation announced Charlie Trout as the new head coach of the national team.[15]

2022–23 Nations League

In the second season of the CONCACAF Nations League, Puerto Rico would again be a part of the C-League. This time being inserted to Group D alongside the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. The team would go on to beat the British Islands 3–1[16] and then later beat the Cayman Islands 5–1. The team would go on to win the group stage, thus earning a Gold Cup prelims invitation and promotion into the B league for the next Nations league.

In the Gold Cup prelims, the team would draw against Suriname 0–0 and later winning in a penalty shootout 4–3.[17] In the second round of the prelims, Puerto Rico would face Martinique. The team would lose 2–0 and be eliminated from the tournament.[18]

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier Period
Joma 2018–2024
Hummel 2024–

Results and fixtures

Main article: Puerto Rico 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

6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification El Salvador  0–0   San Salvador, El Salvador
20:30 UTC−6 Report Stadium: Estadio Cuscatlán
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   8–0  Anguilla Bayamón, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)
6 September 2024–25 Nations League   1–4  Haiti Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez
Referee: Filip Dujic (Canada)
9 September 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Aruba  0–1   Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−4 Report
Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez
Referee: Kimbell Ward (St. Kitts and Nevis)
11 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Sint Maarten  3–2   Oranjestad, Aruba
16:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Trinidad Stadium
Attendance: 19
Referee: Benjamin Pineda (Costa Rica)
14 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League   2–1  Sint Maarten Oranjestad, Aruba
16:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Trinidad Stadium
Referee: Moeth Gaymes (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League   5–1  Aruba Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
19:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez
Referee: Fernando Morón (Panama)
18 November 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Haiti  3–0   Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
 Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez
Referee: Rubiel Vázquez (United States)

2025

21 March Friendly   2-2  Dominican Republic Bayamon, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−4
Stadium: Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel
25 March Friendly Dominican Republic  2–0   Santiago, Dominican Republic
Stadium: Estadio Cibao FC
1 June Friendly   1–1  Nicaragua Pawtucket, United States
 Report
  • Hernández 60'
 Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Suriname  1-0   Paramaribo, Suriname
19:00 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Dr. Franklin Essed Stadium
Attendance: 3,300
Referee: Nelson Salgado (Honduras)
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   2–1  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
21:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Mayagüez Athletics Stadium
Referee: Randy Solano (Dominican Republic)

Coaching staff

As of 23 June 2023.
Role Name Since
Sporting director Steve McCullogh 14 January 2022
Head coach Charlie Trout 19 March 2023
Assistant coach Adekunle Adeleye 19 March 2023
Goalkeeping coach Ritchie Marshall 19 March 2023

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly against Nicaragua on 1 June 2025.[20]

Caps and goals correct as of; 26 March 2025, after the match against Dominican Republic

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Joel Serrano (1999-05-17) May 17, 1999 22 0 Naples
1GK Sebastián Cutler (2003-05-20) May 20, 2003 5 0 Villanova University
1GK Jean Luc Fontana (2005-10-12) 12 October 2005 0 0 Granada
2DF Nicolás Cardona (1998-02-14) February 14, 1998 23 1 Miami
2DF Rodolfo Sulia (2002-08-08) August 8, 2002 22 3 Naples
2DF Beto Ydrach (2002-11-20) November 20, 2002 13 1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
2DF Giovanni Calderón (2000-09-15) September 15, 2000 11 0 Real Monarchs
2DF Colby Quiñones (2003-04-14) April 14, 2003 11 0 Portland Hearts of Pine
2DF Orion McHugh (2001-07-06) July 6, 2001 4 0 Jacksonville Dolphins
3MF Gerald Díaz (1999-03-23) March 23, 1999 35 12 Miami
3MF Juan O'Neill (1998-07-12) 12 July 1998 21 0 Academia Quintana
3MF Sidney Paris (2002-03-10) March 10, 2002 11 0 Sigüeiro
3MF Adrián Biaggi (2005-04-13) April 13, 2005 7 0 River Light
3MF Benjamín Donato (2005-07-05) July 5, 2005 7 0 Stetson University
3MF Steven Echevarria (2000-08-19) August 19, 2000 5 0 Colorado Springs Switchbacks
3MF Nacho Antonetti (2008-02-02) 2 February 2008 3 0 Compostela
4FW Ricardo Rivera (1997-04-17) April 17, 1997 34 19 Miami
4FW Darren Ríos (1995-10-14) October 14, 1995 34 6 SV Wilhelmshaven
4FW Wilfredo Rivera (2003-10-14) October 14, 2003 22 5 Academia Quintana
4FW Jaden Servania (2001-07-16) July 16, 2001 22 2 North Carolina
4FW Leandro Antonetti (2003-01-01) January 1, 2003 15 4 Sevilla
4FW Noeh Hernández (2004-12-09) December 9, 2004 12 1 DePaul University
4FW Alec Díaz (2001-12-07) December 7, 2001 11 2 Free agent

Recent call-ups

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Ryan Basabe (2003-06-22) June 22, 2003 3 0 Orlando City U18
FW Eddiel Márquez (2003-05-25) May 25, 2003 5 0 CFA Quart de les Valls U19
FW Enrique Nieves IV (2003-10-23) October 23, 2003 4 0 Free agent
FW Jeremy de León (2004-09-30) September 30, 2004 3 0 Real Madrid Castilla

Records

As of 25 March 2025[21]
Players in bold are still active with Puerto Rico.

Most appearances

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Héctor Ramos 36 18 2010–2019
2 Andrés Cabrero 35 4 2008–2018
Gerald Díaz 35 13 2017–present
Ricardo Rivera 35 19 2016–present
5 Darren Ríos 34 6 2016–present
6 Jackie Marrero 32 6 2011–2019
7 Alexis Rivera 31 0 2004–2016
8 Nicolás Cardona 24 1 2021–present
9 Cristian Arrieta 22 5 2010–2015
Noah Delgado 22 3 2008–2012
Juan O'Neill 22 0 2017–present
Wilfredo Rivera 22 5 2021–present
Joel Serrano 22 0 2021–present

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Ricardo Rivera 19 35 0.54 2016–present
2 Héctor Ramos 18 36 0.5 2010–2019
3 Gerald Díaz 13 35 0.37 2017–present
4 Chris Megaloudis 6 20 0.3 2008–2012
Jackie Marrero 6 32 0.19 2011–2019
Darren Ríos 6 34 0.18 2016–present
7 Marcos Lugris 5 20 0.25 1983–1998
Cristian Arrieta 5 22 0.23 2010–2015
Wilfredo Rivera 5 22 0.23 2021–present
10 Danny Mueller 4 6 0.67 1992–1993
Joel Burgos 4 8 0.5 2023–present
Raphael Ortiz 4 12 0.33 2000–2010
Leandro Antonetti 4 15 0.27 2022–present
Isaac Angking 4 15 0.27 2021–present
Andrés Cabrero 4 35 0.11 2008–2018

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1958 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1962 to 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
1974 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 12
1978 and 1982 Did not enter Did not enter
1986 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 8
1990 2 0 0 2 1 3
1994 4 1 1 2 4 5
1998 2 0 0 2 1 9
2002 2 0 1 1 4 6
2006 Did not enter Did not enter
2010 Did not qualify 3 1 1 1 3 6
2014 6 2 3 1 8 4
2018 2 1 0 1 1 2
2022 4 2 1 1 10 2
2026 4 2 1 1 10 2
2030 To be determined To be determined
2034
Total 0/16 33 9 8 16 42 59

CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1963 Did not enter
1965
1967
1969
1971
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1991 Did not qualify
1993
1996
1998
2000
2002
2003
2005
2007 Did not enter
2009
2011 Did not qualify
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023
2025
Total 0/28

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
League Finals
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R Finals Result Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019–20 C C 4 2 0 2 6 12 2021 Ineligible
2022–23 C D 4 4 0 0 17 2 2023
2023–24 B D 6 4 0 2 22 10 2024
2024–25 B C 6 3 0 3 11 12 2025
Total — — 20 13 0 7 56 36 — Total 0 Titles — — — — — — —

CFU Caribbean Cup

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1978 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
1979 Did not enter Did not enter
1981 Fourth place 4th 3 0 1 2 1 9 Qualified as host
1983 Did not enter Did not enter
1985
1988
1989
1990
1991 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 3 6
1992 Did not enter Did not enter
1993 Group stage 6th 3 0 1 2 7 14 3 3 0 0 7 0
1994 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 2
1995 3 0 1 2 3 14
1996 Did not enter Did not enter
1997 Withdrew Withdrew
1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 7
1999 3 0 0 3 0 9
2001 2 0 1 1 1 2
2005 3 0 1 2 3 11
2007 Did not enter Did not enter
2008
2010 Did not qualify 6 3 0 3 10 8
2012 6 2 0 4 15 12
2014 3 0 2 1 5 6
2017 6 1 2 3 11 11
Total Fourth place 2/25 6 0 2 4 8 23 43 10 8 25 61 80

Pan American Games

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1951 Did not enter
1955
1959
1963
1967
1971
1975
1979 Round 2 5th 4 1 0 3 2 12
1983 Did not enter
1987
1991
1995
1999
2003 Did not qualify
2007 Did not enter
2011 Did not qualify
2015
2019
2023
Total Round 2 1/19 4 1 0 3 2 12

See also

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  3. ^ Yamaira Muñiz Pérez (28 August 2019). "Se rejuvenece el Huracán Azul". El Vocero de Puerto Rico. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Puerto Rico – List of International Matches". RSSSF. Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. 31 January 2007. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  5. ^ Lewis, Michael (February 2001). "Now You See Him". Soccer Digest. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
  6. ^ "Primerahora.com". primerahora.com. GFR Media LLC. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  7. ^ "Fútbol femenino arranca mañana en Venezuela | META MAYAGUEZ 2010". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  8. ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Puerto Rico cae en reñido amistoso ante USA". Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  9. ^ "India 4–1 Puerto Rico". Soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  10. ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Reñido empate ante Indonesia". Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  11. ^ "La Selección se activa en beneficio de reconstrucción de Puerto Rico | FutbolBoricua.net". 7 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Kaká jugará su último partido contra Puerto Rico | FutbolBoricua.net". 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  13. ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Cae Puerto Rico 6–1 ante Orlando City SC". Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  14. ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "FPF anuncia salida de los técnicos nacionales". Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  15. ^ "UIC Alum Trout Named Head Coach of Puerto Rican Men's National Soccer Team".
  16. ^ "Puerto Rico overhauls BVI in CONCACAF Nations League finale". 24 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Puerto Rico slip past Suriname in dramatic shootout". 14 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Martinique fend off Puerto Rico to punch Group C ticket". 19 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Puerto Rico – E. Morales – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Convocatoria oficial de la Selección Nacional de Puerto Rico para el amistoso internacional vs Nicaragua y los partidos de el CONCACAF Qualifiers Road To 2026". X. Selecciones Nacionales de Puerto Rico. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  21. ^ "Puerto Rico". National Football Teams.
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