Anguilla and the British Virgin Is have advanced to the CONCACAF first group phase of qualifiers for the 2026 Men’s World Cups after winning their respective serieses in the preliminary round. The British Virgin Is defeated the US Virgin Is, and Anguilla beat the Turks-Caicos Is, both on penalties.

Anguilla played to a goalless draw at home before travelling to the Turks-Caicos Is for the second leg. Billy FORBES put the host nation ahead midway through the first half. In first half stoppage time, a penalty by Luke PARIS levelled the scores. It was Anguilla’s first goal in a qualifier in 24 years. No further goals came in regulation or in extra time. With away goals no longer serving as a tiebreaker in two leg encounters in the qualifiers, the second leg went to penalties. In the sixth round, Kian DUNCAN converted his spot kick to earn Anguilla a 4-3 win.

The US Virgin Is were first on the board in their encounter, as Jett BLASCHKA put his side ahead in the 73rd minute of the first leg. Hugo COSTA LIZIARIO, however, earned the equaliser in stoppage time. The second leg ended goalless, and in the shootout, BVI were victorious 4-2 on two saves by Frankie BECKLES.

The British Virgin Is advance to Group E, where they will face Guatemala, the Dominican Rep, Dominica, and Jamaica. Anguilla will play in Group F against Suriname, Puerto Rico, St Vincent-Grenadines, and El Salvador. Both teams will play their first match of the round on SAT 08 JUN 2024.