Guyana’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end on Tuesday night, despite a convincing 3-0 win over Montserrat in front of a home crowd at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.
The Golden Jaguars, who opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Nicaragua on June 6, needed more than a single victory to progress to the next stage of CONCACAF qualifying.
Head coach Wayne Dover fielded a balanced starting XI, blending experience with youthful energy. The lineup featured Akel Clarke, Reiss Greenidge, Jalen Jones, Romaine Brackenridge, Nathan Ferguson, Curtez Kellman, Omari Glasgow, Kelsey Benjamin, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Enoch George, and Osaze DeRosario.
Guyana were drawn into Group D, alongside regional heavyweights Panama, as well as Nicaragua, Montserrat, and Belize. Only the top two teams from each group advance to the next round.
The squad had prepared in Costa Rica ahead of their opening fixtures, with Dover noting strong progress and a clear understanding among players of the demands of World Cup qualifying.
With the 2026 tournament set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, CONCACAF nations are battling for a place in an expanded 48-team format.
However, Guyana senior men’s national team’s journey ends early, as they now look to regroup and build towards future competitions.
