The Cayman Islands were the unexpected story of the opening games in the second round of 2026 World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF region, as events on and off the pitch led to joy and disappointment in equal measure for the British Overseas Territory.
All teams involved will have a long time to dwell on these results, as the next set of games won’t be played until June 2025. The Cayman Islands will have more to ponder than most after an eventful international window for the Caribbean islands, who went into this qualifying phase as one of the lowest-ranked teams in the region (197th).
A dramatic 91st-minute goal from 18-year-old Joshwa Campbell, against the second-highest-ranked nation in Group A, Antigua & Barbuda, gave the Cayman Islands a late1-0 victory and sparked wild celebrations in George Town. It was the first time they had won a World Cup qualifying game and also their first clean sheet since the 2019 Nations League, but the jubilationfollowing this historic win soon turned to disappointment as US visa issues prevented them from travelling to Cuba for their second game in the group.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2024 من World Soccer.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2024 من World Soccer.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
