Concacaf Nations League: Guatemala rises in rankings amid racism complaints

The Concacaf Nations League has triggered various developments across Central American and Caribbean football. Guatemala has seen significant success, rising two spots in the FIFA rankings to 95th following a historic qualification for the tournament's quarter-finals.

However, the competition has also been marred by controversy. Suriname has filed an official complaint with Concacaf regarding racist abuse directed at its players and staff during a match in Guatemala. Player Shaquille Pinas publicly condemned the discriminatory behavior, though the incident also drew criticism following his own social media remarks toward Guatemala.

Other regional teams face varying outcomes. Honduras, after a 1-1 draw with Jamaica, avoided relegation but must now compete in a play-off to qualify for the 2027 Gold Cup. El Salvador, having been relegated to League B, will face Saint Martin in a two-legged play-in series in November to maintain a path toward the Gold Cup. Meanwhile, Jamaica has secured its place in the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group B.