Concacaf: Everything You Need to Know About North and Central American Football

When you think of football in North America, you’re thinking of Concacaf, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, the governing body for soccer in this region. Also known as CONCACAF, it organizes the biggest tournaments that decide which teams from this part of the world make it to the World Cup. It’s not just about the US and Mexico — it’s Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama, Canada, and even smaller nations like Suriname and Guyana fighting for a shot at global football’s biggest stage.

Concacaf runs the World Cup qualifiers, the grueling process that narrows down dozens of teams to just three or four direct spots in the FIFA World Cup. Also known as CONCACAF qualifying, this isn’t a single tournament — it’s a multi-year journey with knockout rounds, group stages, and playoff drama that can make or break national teams. Then there’s the Concacaf Nations League, a newer competition launched in 2019 to replace meaningless friendlies with real stakes. Also known as Nations League, it gives smaller nations a chance to play meaningful games, earn rankings points, and even qualify for the Gold Cup. These two competitions — qualifiers and Nations League — are the backbone of football in this region. They shape team development, influence coaching hires, and drive fan engagement from coast to coast.

What you’ll find here are the real stories behind the scores: the last-minute goals that kept Jamaica’s World Cup hopes alive, the managerial chaos in Honduras after a surprise loss, how Canada’s rise changed the balance of power, and why a 1-0 win in Panama can mean more than a 5-0 thrashing in a friendly. These aren’t just match reports — they’re snapshots of a football culture that’s growing fast, fueled by diaspora fans, local talent pipelines, and the quiet ambition of nations that don’t always get the spotlight.

From the packed stands in Mexico City to the humid pitches of Trinidad, Concacaf football is about more than trophies. It’s about identity, resilience, and the belief that even the smallest team can shock the world. Below, you’ll find the latest results, analysis, and behind-the-scenes moments that define this region’s football heartbeat — no fluff, just what matters on the pitch.