Qualifiers begin with BVI rescuing late draw at USVI – Concacaf

MIAMI, Florida – Concacaf Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off this Friday with a pair of draws in the first leg matches of the First Round.
Anguilla 0-0 Turks and Caicos Islands
The action started with Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands playing to a 0-0 draw at the Raymond E. Guishard Stadium in The Valley, Anguilla.
The result halts an 11-match losing streak for Anguilla in World Cup Qualifying.
It was a very cagey first 45 minutes between the two sides, with little in the way of scoring chances.
Things opened up in the second half and Anguilla looked on the verge of breaking the deadlock after a penalty was called in their favor, but they were unable to convert.
In the end, the Turks and Caicos Islands defense held firm to secure the goalless draw, leaving things wide open for Tuesday’s second leg.
US Virgin Islands 1-1 British Virgin Islands
The second match of the day ended with British Virgin Islands picking up a 1-1 draw with the US Virgin Islands at the Bethlehem Soccer Stadium in Upper Bethlehem, USVI.
Scoring chances were few and far between in the first half, but it was a different story in the second half, as USVI scored the first goal of the day in the 73’.
A long throw-in was headed in the area and fell perfectly for Jett Blaschka, who chested the ball to himself and fired a left-footed shot into net for a 1-0 USVI lead.
BVI sought a response and pushed hard for an equalizer, yet the USVI defense was doing the job and looked set to secure a clean sheet victory.
However, BVI’s Hugo Costa Liziario had other plans and in the second minute of second half stoppage time the BVI attacker fired into net from close-range to earn his side a crucial away goal and a 1-1 draw.

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