Puerto Rico eyes historic first qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026

The island’s national team, known as Huracán Azul, has a solid squad led by the two players who are standing out in the Spanish League. Image capture @huracanazulpr.

By Mivette Vega

June 13, 2024

The team has gotten off to a good start winning the first two matches.

Puerto Rico has a real chance of qualifying for a World Cup for the first time in its history.

The island participates in FIFA qualifying games, specifically in the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF).

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And for the first time, CONCACAF could have up to eight representatives in the 2026 World Cup. Forty-eight countries will finally battle for the prestigious cup.

The island’s national team, known as Huracán Azul, has a solid squad led by the two players who are standing out in the Spanish League, Leandro Antonetti (Club Deportivo Lugo) and Jeremy De León (Real Madrid Castilla).

The team has gotten off to a good start—last week they tied 0-0 with El Salvador, as a visiting team.

On Tuesday, Huracán Azul beat Anguilla 8-0 at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, in Bayamón, the team’s biggest win.

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The team’s manager, Charlie Trout, is confident that they can qualify.

“We believe 100% that we can qualify for the World Cup. When I arrived in Puerto Rico (a few years ago) to join the U-20 team, precisely with Leandro (Antonetti) on that squad, I didn’t know what to expect in general,” Trout said in a recent press conference. “But I quickly learned and realized the unpolished talent that was here. We have young players who are going to have to mature faster than anticipated, along with other veterans. But we can do it.”

Author

Mivette Vega

Mivette Vega is a seasoned journalist and multimedia reporter whose stories center the Latino community. She is passionate about justice, equality, environmental matters, and animals. She is a Salvadorrican—Salvadorian that grew up in Puerto Rico—that has lived in San Juan, Venice, Italy, and Miami.

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