Honduras beat Haiti to take top spot in World Cup qualifying group

Honduras surged to the top of Group C in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with a commanding 3–0 victory over visiting Haiti on Monday, strengthening their bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Haiti entered the match leading the group on goal difference after a 0–0 draw with Honduras last month, but the hosts took control early and never looked back.


Now sitting on two wins and two draws, Honduras lead the group with two qualifiers remaining in November, while Haiti drop to second with one win and two draws. The revamped qualifying format sees the final 12 CONCACAF teams split into three groups, with each group winner advancing directly to the World Cup. The two best runners-up will move on to intercontinental playoffs for a chance to qualify.


Honduras opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Rigoberto Rivas chipped the ball over Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide after a clever assist from Kervin Arriaga.

Anthony Lozano doubled the lead in the 26th minute, slotting home from Luis Palma’s setup, before Romell Quioto sealed the result with a close-range strike in the 40th minute, giving Honduras a 3–0 halftime advantage they comfortably maintained.