Recap
Costa Rica face their upcoming match against Haiti without one of their most important attacking players and leading scorer, Ugalde. Fernando Batista’s side also arrive under significant pressure after suffering a painful 3-4 defeat to Curaçao in the opening round, despite taking a commanding 3-0 lead during the match.
That collapse has intensified scrutiny around the Argentine coach, with serious questions now being raised about his future. The atmosphere surrounding the national team is far from ideal, while a significant portion of the squad is drawn from the domestic league, leaving Costa Rica with a less experienced side than usual.
Haiti come into the match with considerably better momentum after beating Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in their opener. Another victory would put them in a strong position in the race for qualification for the 2027 Gold Cup.
The match will be played at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. Haiti have been forced to play their home fixtures in Jamaica because the severe security situation and ongoing violence in Haiti prevent the country from safely hosting international matches.
With Costa Rica dealing with pressure, a major attacking absence and internal uncertainty, Haiti have an opportunity to take advantage of the situation and build on their positive start to the campaign.