Honduras

Honduras has a long and notable history in the Gold Cup. They have participated in the tournament 16 times as of 2023, missing only the 2002 edition.

Honduras reached the final in the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991, finishing as runners-up after losing to the United States in a penalty shootout. Since then, they have finished third twice and fourth two more times.

Their overall Gold Cup record stands at 22 wins, 8 draws, and 25 losses, with 83 goals scored and 71 conceded. Honduras made impressive runs to the semifinals in 2009, 2011, and 2013, but in recent tournaments, they have typically exited in the group stage or quarterfinals.

Some of their most notable players in Gold Cup history include Carlos Pavon (all-time top Gold Cup scorer for Honduras with 9 goals), Carlo Costly (8 goals), and Maynor Figueroa, who holds the record for most Gold Cup appearances for Honduras with 23 matches.

Honduras had to qualify for the 2025 Gold Cup through the Preliminary Qualifiers with a 7-3 aggregate win over Bermuda.

Having got close to Mexico in the Nations League, winning in Mexico but losing at home, this team can spring surprise results. They are already into the final 12 team round of World Cup 2026 qualifying.

However, they have a squad, drawn almost exclusively from the Honduran league, with just six players under the age of 25.

Head Coach:

Colombian Reinaldo Rivera is in his second spell as Honduran national team coach He first took charge in 2007, qualifying for the 2010 World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Results were poor and he was fired only to come back in 2023.

In between time he managed Ecuador, Chile and Colombia though failed to qualify the Colombians for the 2022 World Cup.

Star player

Romell Quito

So often in the shadow of Alberth Elis, Romell Quito at 34 is the oldest player in the Honduran squad but one who is showing that age is not preventing him from a prolific goal output.

Playing at Al-Arabi in the Saudi First Division he has scored 18 goals in 24 games. Prior to that he scored 38 goals in 98 games for CF Montreal in the MLS.

If he is fit he is a threat.

Luis Palma

A winger for Greek club Olympiacos, he is currently on loan from Celtic who he joined in 2023.

The 25-year-old made his senior debut for Honduras in 2021 and has since played 20 times scoring 5 goals. This Gold Cup could be his breakthrough tournament.

Schedule:

June 17 vs Canada, BC Place, Vancouver, 7.30pm KO

June 21 vs El Salvador, Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, 9pm KO

June 24 vs Curaçao, PayPal Park, San Jose, 7pm KO

Squad: