Saint Lucia wrapped up its 2025–2026 CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers campaign winless after four matches, falling 1–0 to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in its final Group A encounter last Saturday at the Daren Sammy Stadium.
Despite finishing fifth in the group, head coach Francis McDonald emphasized that the tournament offered several positives for the young squad. He noted that energy levels remained high, team bonding improved, and tactical growth was evident throughout the campaign.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mc Donald admitted that poor finishing cost Saint Lucia the game, as the team failed to convert scoring opportunities. He added that while the players showed initiative, they lacked the drive to push forward decisively.
“Technically we were very poor. We worked on a number of initiatives, but the objectives were not met,” McDonald reflected, underscoring that the team remains a work in progress.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines also concluded their qualifiers on Saturday, but with greater success—finishing third in Group A with a 2-0-2 record and consecutive wins.
The 2025/26 CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers determine six teams to join pre-qualified USA and Canada in the 2026 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, which doubles as the regional pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The qualifiers feature 29 member associations divided into six groups, with only the group winners advancing to the Championship.
Current Group Leaders (as of mid-April 2026)
– Group A: Mexico leads, closely followed by Puerto Rico
– Group B: Jamaica tops the group, powered by Khadija Shaw’s goals
– Group C: Costa Rica and Guatemala are tied on points, with Costa Rica holding home advantage
– Group D: Haiti leads the Dominican Republic by two points
– Group E: Panama edges Cuba by two points
– Group F: El Salvador narrowly leads Trinidad and Tobago
The 2026 CONCACAF Women’s Championship will bring together the six group winners alongside the USA and Canada. The top four finishers will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while the fifth and sixth-placed teams may earn a chance through the Intercontinental Play-Off.
