Verdes FC hosts Motagua in 2026 Central American Cup opener
Verdes and Motagua get the tournament underway with Group D action in Belmopán, Belize.
BELMOPÁN, Belize – The 2026 Concacaf Central American Cup kicks off with Verdes FC hosting FC Motagua in Group D on Tuesday at FFB Stadium in Belmopán, Belize.
The occasion features the third matchup between the clubs in Central American Cup history. Motagua leads the series after claiming 5-0 and 4-1 victories in the Group Stage of the 2023 and 2025 editions.
Verdes are set to begin the club’s third total Central American Cup campaign, and its second in as many seasons. The reigning Belize Premier League champions host the tournament’s opener in search of a bright start, aiming to secure their first points in competition history.
Motagua returns for its fourth consecutive appearance in the Central American Cup after qualifying by finishing atop the overall standings across Honduras' Torneo Apertura 2025 and Torneo Clausura 2026.
El Ciclón Azul kicks off the campaign looking to advance beyond the Quarterfinals after reaching that stage in each of its three previous appearances.
Pre-Match Stats
- Verdes will play in their third Concacaf Central American Cup —and for the first time consecutively, having also participated in 2025. On both previous occasions, the Belizean team was eliminated in the group stage.
- Motagua remained unbeaten in 10 of the 12 matches they played in the Concacaf Central American Cup group stage (7 wins, 3 draws). However, their last two matches in that round of the competition ended in goalless draws (0-0 against Cartaginés and Saprissa).
- Verdes is seeking its first victory in the Concacaf Central American Cup. To date, the Belizean team has played eight matches, suffering eight defeats.
- Rodrigo Gómez was the only Motagua player to score more than once in the 2025 edition of the Concacaf Central American Cup; the Argentine found the net twice, against Independiente and LD Alajuelense.
- Motagua remained unbeaten in five of their last six away matches in the Concacaf Central American Cup (2 wins, 3 draws). However, that single defeat occurred in their most recent away game (0-1 against Cartaginés in 2025).
