The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF.
The team has made three Olympic tournament appearances, competing at the 1968, 1976, and 1988 Olympic Games. Guatemala have never qualified for a finals tournament of the World Cup, although they have reached the final round of qualification on four occasions.
Guatemala won the 1967 CONCACAF Championship and the 2001 UNCAF Nations Cup. The team's best performance in a CONCACAF Gold Cup was in 1996, when they finished fourth. Guatemala has also obtained a silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela. The national team kits are supplied by Umbro. Past kit suppliers include Atletica, Adidas and Puma.
History
The national team, nicknamed "la Azul y Blanco" (the blue and white), made its debut in the Independence Centenary Games held in Guatemala City in September 1921, winning their first game 10–1 against Honduras. In the final, Guatemala were defeated 6–0 by Costa Rica.[1] Guatemala entered a World Cup qualification process for the first time in 1958.
1967 CONCACAF Championship
In 1967, Honduras hosted the CONCACAF Championship. Guatemala began the tournament with a 2–1 win against Haiti, followed by a 1–0 win over defending champions Mexico, a 0–0 draw against Honduras, a 2–0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, and a 2–0 win over Nicaragua, being crowned CONCACAF champions for the first time. Forward Manuel "Escopeta" Recinos was Guatemala's top scorer with four goals, including the game-winning goal against Mexico.
Results
1968 Olympic Games
In 1967, Guatemala showed some major progress by qualifying for the 1968 Olympic Tournament in Mexico City. In the first round, they won 1–0 against Czechoslovakia, and 4–1 against Thailand, and lost to Bulgaria 2–1. They went on the next round where they lost to eventual champions Hungary 1–0.
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
In 2006 World Cup qualifying, Guatemala started off well, advancing to the third round by beating Suriname 4–2 in the second round. In the third round they finished second behind Costa Rica in Group B tying at 10 points each, advancing to the final round. In the fourth round they started off well with a 0–0 draw against Panama and a 5–1 win against Trinidad and Tobago. Then followed a 2–0 loss against United States and Mexico and a 3–2 loss against Costa Rica, and after 3 losses in a row they finally won against Panama 2–1, then lost against Trinidad and Tobago 3–2, tied against United States 0–0 and then lost to Mexico 5–2 once again. Guatemala had 8 points with one game left, and a win and a Trinidad and Tobago loss against Mexico would get them to the playoff. They won 3–1 against Costa Rica but Trinidad and Tobago beat Mexico 2–1, ending one of the best runs in Guatemala football history. They finished in 5th place, 2 points away from a possible World Cup spot. The final match between Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago was a fraud committed by the CONCACAF leadership at the time.[2]
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
In 2010 World Cup qualifying, they advanced to the third round by defeating Saint Lucia 9–1 in the second round. In the third round Guatemala finished in third place with 5 points, thus missing out on the final round. They were once again unable to qualify for the World Cup.
2014 World Cup cycle
At the 2011 Copa Centroamericana, formerly known as the "UNCAF Nations Cup", Guatemala finished in fifth place, losing to Costa Rica 2–0 and Honduras 3–1. In the fifth place match, they defeated Nicaragua 2–1 to qualify to the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
At the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Guatemala drew against Honduras 0–0, lost against Jamaica 2–0 and won against Grenada 4–0, advancing to the quarterfinals, where they lost against the reigning champions Mexico 2–1.
For the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF), Guatemala opened qualifying in the second round by sweeping 6 wins in 6 games, advancing to the third round in the same group as USA, Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda. Guatemala finished third with 10 points behind the USA and Jamaica, losing out on goal difference to the Jamaicans.
In January 2013, still led by Ever Almeida, Guatemala participated in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana. The Chapines could only manage three draws in their group play (1–1 against Nicaragua, 0–0 to border rivals Belize and 1–1 against Costa Rica), losing out to Belize for direct qualification to the Gold Cup. They faced Panama in the 5th place match for the final slot in the 2013 Gold Cup in the USA but lost 3–1. Ever Almeida stepped down in favour of technical director Victor Hugo Monzón.
Home stadium
The Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores, also known as Coloso de la Zona 5, is a multi-use national stadium in Guatemala City, the largest in Guatemala. It was built in 1948, to host the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1950, and was renamed after long-distance runner Mateo Flores, winner of the 1952 Boston Marathon. It has a capacity of 26,000 seats.
Used mostly for soccer matches, the stadium has hosted the majority of the home matches of the Guatemala national football team throughout its history.
Competitive Record
FIFA World Cup
CONCACAF Gold Cup Record
| Year |
Round |
GP |
W |
D |
L |
GS |
GA |
 1963 | Round 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
 1965 | Runner-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 5 |
 1967 | Champions | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
 1969 | Runner-up | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
 1971 | Did not qualify |
.svg.png) 1973 | Fifth Place | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
 1977 | Fifth Place | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
| 1981 | Did not qualify |
| 1985 | Round 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| 1989 | Fourth Place | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
 1991 | Round 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 1993 | Did not enter |
| 1996 | Fourth Place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 1998 | Round 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2000 | Round 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 2002 | Round 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2003 | Round 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2005 | Round 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| 2007 | Quarter Finals | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 2009 | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | Quarter Finals | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| 2013 | Did not qualify |
| 2015 | Qualified |
| Total | 1 Title | 66 | 19 | 19 | 28 | 81 | 84 |
Copa Centroamericana record
| Year |
Round |
GP |
W |
D |
L |
GS |
GA |
|
| 1991 | Third Place | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1993 | Did not enter |
| 1995 | Runner-up | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 1997 | Runner-up | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
| 1999 | Runner-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| 2001 | Champions | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 5 |
 2003 | Runner-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 |
| 2005 | Third Place | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 |
| 2007 | Third Place | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2009 | Round 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 2011 | Fifth Place | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 2013 | Sixth Place | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 2014 | Runner-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Total | 1 Title | 51 | 23 | 14 | 14 | 63 | 48 |
Olympic record
- 1896 to 1924 - Did not enter
- 1928 to 1964 - Did not qualify
- 1968 - Quarter finals - 6th place
- 1972 - Did not qualify
- 1976 - Round 1
- 1980 to 1984 - Did not qualify
- 1988 - Round 1
- 1992 to 2012 - Did not qualify
Note: Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since the 1992 edition.
Schedule and recent results
- Key
Win
Draw
Loss
2015
Players
Current squad
The following players were named for the Friendly match against Canada on 27 March and El Salvador on 31 March 2015.
Caps and goals updated as 31 March 2015 after the game against El Salvador.
| 0#0 |
Pos. |
Player |
Date of birth (age) |
Caps |
Goals |
Club |
|
1GK |
Paulo César Motta |
(1982-03-29) March 29, 1982 |
16 |
0 |
Municipal
|
|
2DF |
Juan José Paredes |
(1984-11-27) November 27, 1984 |
7 |
0 |
Comunicaciones |
|
|
2DF |
Carlos Gallardo |
(1984-04-08) April 8, 1984 |
50 |
3 |
Comunicaciones
|
|
2DF |
Elías Vásquez |
(1992-06-18) June 18, 1992 |
27 |
0 |
Real Salt Lake
|
|
2DF |
Carlos Castrillo |
(1985-05-18) May 18, 1985 |
23 |
0 |
Comunicaciones
|
|
2DF |
Wilson Lalín |
(1985-05-03) May 3, 1985 |
14 |
0 |
Comunicaciones
|
|
2DF |
Gerardo Arias |
(1995-11-18) November 18, 1995 |
4 |
0 |
Petapa
|
|
2DF |
Dennis López |
(1982-01-02) January 2, 1982 |
3 |
0 |
Municipal
|
|
2DF |
Stefano Cincotta |
(1991-02-28) February 28, 1991 |
2 |
0 |
 Chemnitzer
|
|
2DF |
Moises Hernandez |
(1992-03-05) March 5, 1992 |
2 |
0 |
FC Dallas
|
|
2DF |
Tomás Castillo |
(1990-01-01) January 1, 1990 |
1 |
0 |
Guastatoya |
|
|
3MF |
José Manuel Contreras |
(1986-01-19) January 19, 1986 |
56 |
5 |
Comunicaciones
|
|
3MF |
Marco Pappa |
(1987-11-15) November 15, 1987 |
44 |
10 |
Seattle Sounders
|
|
3MF |
Marvin Ávila |
(1985-12-06) December 6, 1985 |
41 |
4 |
Municipal
|
|
3MF |
Jean Márquez |
(1985-03-06) March 6, 1985 |
30 |
0 |
Comunicaciones
|
|
3MF |
Carlos Mejía |
(1991-11-13) November 13, 1991 |
6 |
0 |
Comunicaciones
|
|
3MF |
Jorge Aparicio |
(1992-11-21) November 21, 1992 |
3 |
0 |
Comunicaciones
|
|
3MF |
Brandon de León |
(1993-03-20) March 20, 1993 |
2 |
0 |
Marquense
|
|
3MF |
Aslinn Rodas |
(1992-10-07) October 7, 1992 |
2 |
0 |
Xelajú |
|
|
4FW |
Carlos Ruiz |
(1979-12-15) December 15, 1979 |
112 |
57 |
Municipal
|
|
4FW |
Ángelo Padilla |
(1990-03-05) March 5, 1990 |
6 |
1 |
Carmelita |
|
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Guatemala squad within the last twelve months.[4]
| Pos. |
Player |
Date of birth (age) |
Caps |
Goals |
Club |
Latest call-up |
| GK |
Ricardo Jerez |
(1986-03-04) March 4, 1986 |
37 |
0 |
 Alianza Petrolera |
v.  Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| GK |
Luis Pedro Molina |
(1977-06-04) June 4, 1977 |
20 |
0 |
Petapa |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014 |
|
| DF |
Sergio Trujillo |
(1987-11-19) November 19, 1987 |
14 |
0 |
Municipal |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| DF |
Edwin Fuentes |
(1991-02-22) February 22, 1991 |
1 |
0 |
Marquense |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| DF |
Audy Rivera |
(1984-04-20) April 20, 1984 |
1 |
0 |
Suchitepéquez |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| DF |
Rafael Morales |
(1988-04-06) April 6, 1988 |
12 |
0 |
Saprissa |
2014 Copa Centroamericana
|
| DF |
Cristian Noriega |
(1987-03-20) March 20, 1987 |
35 |
0 |
Municipal |
v.  Cuba, August 23, 2014
|
| DF |
Rubén Morales |
(1987-06-04) June 4, 1987 |
12 |
0 |
Comunicaciones |
v. Cuba, August 23, 2014
|
| DF |
Julián Priego |
(1987-09-23) September 23, 1987 |
2 |
0 |
Universidad |
v.  Nicaragua, August 14, 2014 |
|
| MF |
Kendell Herrarte |
(1992-04-06) April 6, 1992 |
10 |
0 |
Comunicaciones |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| MF |
Johny Girón |
(1983-01-15) January 15, 1983 |
6 |
0 |
Xelajú |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| MF |
Marvin Ceballos |
(1992-04-22) April 22, 1992 |
4 |
0 |
Comunicaciones |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| MF |
Osmar López |
(1987-11-04) November 4, 1987 |
1 |
0 |
Municipal |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| MF |
Nelson Miranda |
(1990-12-21) December 21, 1990 |
11 |
2 |
Comunicaciones |
2014 Copa Centroamericana
|
| MF |
Édgar Chub |
(1991-01-01) January 1, 1991 |
1 |
0 |
Guastatoya |
2014 Copa Centroamericana
|
| MF |
Álex Pérez |
(1985-09-04) September 4, 1985 |
2 |
0 |
Petapa |
v. Cuba, August 23, 2014 |
|
| FW |
Minor López |
(1987-02-01) February 1, 1987 |
31 |
6 |
 Atlético CP |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| FW |
Adam Estrada |
(1985-09-20) September 20, 1985 |
0 |
0 |
Comunicaciones |
v. Peru, October 14, 2014
|
| FW |
Gregory Lester Ruiz |
(1981-03-08) March 8, 1981 |
13 |
3 |
Coatepeque |
v. Cuba, August 23, 2014
|
| FW |
Wilber Pérez |
(1988-09-26) September 26, 1988 |
5 |
0 |
Petapa |
v. Cuba, August 23, 2014
|
| FW |
Jorge Ortiz |
(1990-07-04) July 4, 1990 |
2 |
0 |
Marquense |
v. Cuba, August 23, 2014
|
| FW |
Jhony Brown |
(1986-01-16) January 16, 1986 |
4 |
2 |
Marquense |
v. Nicaragua, August 14, 2014
|
| FW |
Josué Bol |
(1988-01-01) January 1, 1988 |
1 |
0 |
Cobán Imperial |
v. Nicaragua, August 14, 2014
|
| FW |
Edi Danilo Guerra |
(1987-12-11) December 11, 1987 |
1 |
0 |
Universidad |
v. Nicaragua, August 14, 2014 |
|
Most capped
Players in bold text are still active with Guatemala.
* Banned from Football on suspicions of fixing match results.[5]
|
Top scorers
Players in bold text are still active with Guatemala.
* Banned from Football on suspicions of fixing match results.[6]
|
Managers
[7]
Honors
- Champions (1): 1967
- Runner-up (2): 1965, 1969
- Champions (1): 2001
- Runner-up (5): 1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2014
- Third Place (3): 1991, 2005, 2007
- CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
- Silver Medal (2):1976, 1988
- Silver Medal (1): 1983
- Third Place (1): 1999
See also
- Liga Nacional de Guatemala
References
External links
Football in Guatemala |
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- 1: Inside the North American zone, but CFU member.
- 2: South American country, but affiliated to CONCACAF and CFU.
- 3: Full or associate CONCACAF member, but non-FIFA member.
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8 (9 April 2015)
Haiti
1966
2018
2022
10' 
Bermuda
José Alberto Cevasco
Lorenzo Ausina Tur
Néstor Valdez Moraga
Dragoslav Šekularac
Ever Hugo Almeida
