All eyes are turning to San Pedro Sula as Honduras gears up to host Costa Rica in a high-stakes CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying clash at the Estadio Francisco Morazon on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The final round of qualifying is heating up, and with both countries desperate for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, anticipation is reaching fever pitch across Central America.
This matchup comes with a heavy dose of history and recent drama. The two sides last squared off in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Qualifying Playoffs, where Costa Rica emerged with a convincing 3-1 victory. That result stung for Honduras, who now have the chance to settle the score in front of their home crowd. But will home advantage be enough to tip the balance this time?
Recent form could play a decisive role. Honduras enters the contest on a confident note, boasting a 3-1-1 record in their last five outings. Their only defeat came at the hands of a formidable Mexico squad in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup—a Mexico side that would go on to defeat the USA in the final. In the current qualifying round, Honduras opened with a gritty 0-0 draw against Haiti and followed up with a crucial 2-0 win over Nicaragua. That victory puts them atop Group C with four points, making them the only team in the group to notch a win so far.
Costa Rica, meanwhile, has had a bumpier ride. The Ticos are 1-3-1 in their last five matches and have yet to claim a win in the final round of qualifying, drawing both their opening games against Nicaragua and Haiti. Despite their recent struggles, Costa Rica’s pedigree in World Cup qualifying can’t be ignored—they’ve been regulars on the world stage, and their squad is always capable of producing a moment of magic when it matters most.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the inclusion of rising star Andy Rojas in the Costa Rican squad. The 19-year-old New York Red Bulls midfielder is coming off a breakout season in MLS NEXT Pro, where he netted five goals and tallied two assists in 20 matches for New York Red Bulls II. Rojas made headlines on October 5 by becoming the second youngest player in club history to record a brace, scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Toronto FC II. His rapid ascent has not gone unnoticed back home.
Rojas’ journey has been nothing short of meteoric. After signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the New York Red Bulls on August 19, 2025, he has continued to make waves on both sides of the Atlantic. Before his move to the United States, Rojas spent three seasons with C.S. Herediano, racking up 85 appearances, 15 goals, and six assists. He helped Herediano clinch the 2024-25 Primera Division and the Costa Rican Super Cup, even scoring the game-tying goal in the Super Cup Final against Deportivo Saprissa on July 7, 2024.
Internationally, Rojas already has 14 senior caps for Costa Rica, contributing a goal and two assists in just 313 minutes of play. His debut was one for the record books—he scored three minutes into his first appearance against Saint Kitts and Nevis on June 6, 2024, becoming the youngest Costa Rican to score in a World Cup qualifier at just 18 years and 184 days old. He’s since featured in all four matches at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and was last seen in national colors during Costa Rica’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Haiti on September 10, 2025.
For Rojas, the chance to don the national jersey and represent Costa Rica in such a pivotal fixture is both a privilege and a challenge. According to the Costa Rican Football Federation, “Andy Rojas has been called into the Costa Rica National Team for two 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier matches.” The young midfielder will be hoping to inject some much-needed creativity and energy into a Costa Rican side looking to rediscover its winning touch.
The stakes in Group C couldn’t be higher. The CONCACAF final round features three groups of four teams, with the group winners booking their tickets directly to the FIFA World Cup. The two best runners-up will have to navigate the FIFA Play-Off Tournament for another shot at qualification. Honduras, currently sitting pretty atop Group C, will be keen to solidify their lead with another win. Costa Rica, on the other hand, knows that anything less than three points could leave their World Cup dreams hanging by a thread.
Historically, there’s little to separate these two powerhouses. In their long and storied rivalry, Honduras has claimed 24 wins, Costa Rica 25, and 22 encounters have ended in a draw. It’s a rivalry that brings out the best—and sometimes the worst—in both squads, and fans can expect another fiercely contested battle under the lights in San Pedro Sula.
For viewers in the United States, the match will be broadcast live on Paramount+ and Universo, with kickoff set for 10:00 PM EST. The atmosphere promises to be electric, with the Estadio Francisco Morazon sure to be packed to the rafters as fans from across Honduras and beyond descend on the city, hoping to witness a night to remember.
Looking ahead, Costa Rica will return home after this match to face Nicaragua at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Monday, October 13, at 10 p.m. ET. But before they can turn their attention to that fixture, all focus is on the challenge that awaits in Honduras—a team with momentum, home advantage, and a burning desire to reach the world’s biggest stage once again.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, questions abound. Can Honduras maintain their grip on Group C and edge closer to qualification glory? Will Costa Rica’s young guns, led by the dynamic Andy Rojas, rise to the occasion and reignite their campaign? With so much on the line, one thing’s for sure: Central American soccer fans are in for a thrilling night of football.
As both teams take to the field, the tension is palpable and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With World Cup dreams hanging in the balance, every pass, tackle, and shot will be watched by millions. The action is set, the players are ready, and the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to wind through San Pedro Sula. Stay tuned—this one’s far from over.
