The final stretch of CONCACAF’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign comes down to one high-stakes clash: Suriname faces Guatemala on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala City. The match, labeled Matchday 6 of the Third Round, could decide which team walks away with one of the three automatic berths to the 2026 World Cup — or slips into the inter-confederation playoff abyss. For fans in the U.S., the big question isn’t just who wins — it’s whether they’ll be able to watch it live.
Why This Match Matters More Than Most
Group C is a mess of momentum and near-misses. Jamaica leads the pack, but Guatemala and Suriname are locked in a two-horse race for second. A win for Guatemala would all but seal their path to the World Cup. A Suriname victory? That could send them into the playoff zone for the first time in their history — a seismic shift for a nation that’s never qualified. Suriname’s last World Cup appearance? Never. Not even close. Guatemala last made it in 1974. Both teams know this might be their last shot for decades.The stakes aren’t just symbolic. The winner of this match will likely leapfrog the other into the top two of Group C, with the top team qualifying directly and the second-place team entering the inter-confederation playoff. That’s a ticket to a global stage. The loser? A long winter of "what if?"
The Venue: A Fortress in Zone 13
Estadio Cementos Progreso, also known as Estadio El Trébol, sits in Guatemala City’s Zone 13. With a 22,000-seat capacity and a reputation for deafening noise, it’s one of CONCACAF’s most intimidating away venues. The pitch is tight, the stands are close, and the home crowd — fueled by decades of near-misses — will be louder than ever. Suriname, who last played here in 2023 during a 2-0 loss, knows what’s coming. Their coach, Dean Gorré, has called this "the most important 90 minutes of our modern football history."Guatemala’s president of their football federation, Ricardo Márquez Flores, has already declared the stadium "a temple of dreams." The team has won all three of their home matches in this qualifying cycle. They’ve scored 10 goals and conceded just one. Confidence is high. But Suriname’s defense, anchored by veteran goalkeeper Randy Mouttet, has improved dramatically since September’s 3-1 loss to Panama. They’ve kept clean sheets in two of their last three away games.
Why U.S. Broadcast Details Are Still a Mystery
Here’s the odd part: CONCACAF published the full schedule months ago — including the result (Guatemala 3-1 Suriname) — but left the U.S. broadcast info blank. That’s not a glitch. It’s a pattern. In the past, networks like FOX Sports and Telemundo have waited until three weeks before kickoff to announce streaming and TV details. The September 4 match between Suriname and Panama? Broadcast details dropped on August 15. This match is on November 18. Don’t expect news before mid-October.Historically, U.S. viewers have watched these qualifiers on FOX Sports 1, Telemundo, or streamed via Peacock and FOX Sports Go. But with the 2026 World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, the network landscape is shifting. Could NBCUniversal or Apple TV step in? Unlikely. The existing rights deal with FOX and Telemundo runs through 2026. Still, the absence of even a placeholder announcement feels unusual. Maybe CONCACAF is holding back to maximize viewership pressure — or maybe they’re just overwhelmed.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era for CONCACAF
This qualifying cycle is different. For the first time, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico get automatic bids. That means the other 33 teams in CONCACAF are fighting for just five remaining spots: three direct, two via playoffs. That’s tighter than ever. Suriname, a nation of just 600,000 people, is now competing on equal footing with football giants like Costa Rica and Honduras. It’s a sign of how far CONCACAF has come — and how much more competitive it’s becoming.The Third Round began on September 4, 2025, and ends precisely on November 18. That’s just over two months of high-octane football. Suriname’s journey here has been improbable. They drew with Jamaica in Paramaribo. They held Panama to a 1-1 draw. They even beat Curaçao 2-1 away. They’re not supposed to be here. But they are.
Guatemala, meanwhile, is playing for redemption. After failing to qualify for 2018 and 2022, this is their best chance since 1986. Their captain, José de la Cruz, has scored in four consecutive qualifiers. He’s the heartbeat of the team.
What Happens Next?
If Suriname wins, they’ll finish second in Group C with 13 points (assuming current standings hold). That puts them in the playoff bracket — a chance to face a team from Asia, Africa, or Oceania. If they lose? Their World Cup dream ends in Guatemala City.Guatemala, with a win, becomes the first team from Central America outside of Mexico and the U.S. to qualify for a World Cup since Costa Rica in 2022. A draw? They’re still in the driver’s seat. A loss? They’re out — and it’ll be brutal.
For U.S. fans, the real takeaway isn’t just who wins. It’s whether you’ll be able to watch it. Don’t wait until the last minute. Bookmark CONCACAF’s official site. Follow FOX Sports and Telemundo on social media. Set a reminder for October 15. That’s when the broadcast info will drop — if history repeats itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Suriname vs Guatemala match be televised in the U.S.?
Yes, it’s highly likely. Based on past cycles, FOX Sports and Telemundo will broadcast the match, likely on FOX Sports 1 and Telemundo Deportes. Streaming will be available on Peacock and the FOX Sports app. But no official confirmation exists yet — expect an announcement in mid-October.
Why is the result listed as Guatemala 3-1 Suriname on ESPN’s schedule?
That’s a placeholder. ESPN’s schedule system sometimes auto-fills future matches with dummy results for formatting purposes. The match hasn’t been played yet — and the actual score won’t be known until November 18. Don’t treat it as a prediction. It’s just a system glitch.
What happens if Suriname wins?
A Suriname win would likely push them into second place in Group C with 13 points, qualifying them for the inter-confederation playoff. That means a chance to face a team from Asia, Africa, or Oceania in a two-legged tie for the final World Cup spot. It would be the first time Suriname has ever reached this stage — a historic breakthrough for Caribbean football.
How did Suriname make it this far in qualifying?
Suriname, a small nation with limited resources, relied on a disciplined defense and opportunistic counterattacks. They drew with Jamaica, held Panama to a draw, and beat Curaçao away. Their success is built on a core of Dutch-trained players from Suriname’s diaspora, including several who play in the Dutch second division. Coach Dean Gorré’s tactical discipline has turned them into one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Who has the edge: Suriname’s defense or Guatemala’s offense?
Guatemala has scored 10 goals in three home matches and has a potent striker in José de la Cruz. But Suriname has kept clean sheets in two of their last three away games and has a veteran backline that thrives under pressure. The edge? It’s razor-thin. Guatemala’s home advantage gives them a slight nod — but Suriname has already proven they can win away in hostile environments.
When will broadcast details be confirmed?
Based on patterns from the September 2025 match windows, broadcast details typically emerge 2-4 weeks before kickoff. Expect an official announcement from CONCACAF, FOX Sports, or Telemundo between October 10 and October 20, 2025. Until then, fans should monitor their official social media channels and websites.
