Dreams come true, and the Cuban U-17 men’s national football team, coached by Sandro Sevillano, will be at the upcoming 2026 World Cup in Qatar. Scheduled for November, after a 35-year wait. Following their participation in the 1989 Scotland and 1991 Italy editions.
The young Lions of the Caribbean, whose football seems to be experiencing a resurgence, finished as undefeated leaders of Group F. Played in Guatemala, with seven points, eliminating the other teams in the group. Which was played at the Cementos Progreso Stadium in Guatemala City.
For the third time, the Cubans will be present at a FIFA U-17 World Cup, after defeating El Salvador 2-1 with a brace from striker Yankarlos Iglesias. Cuba defeated Curaçao 1-0 with a goal by Deiby Borrell, and Belize drew 0-0 in an intense match that secured their passage to Qatar.
The CONCACAF U-17 Championship determined the eight available spots for the region in the next FIFA U-17 World Cup. In which will be contested by 48 national teams from around the world.
Also this CONCACAF tournament brought together 34 teams from the region. Divided into eight groups (A-H) and hosted by six countries, in a round-robin format. The top team in each group earned direct qualification to the U-17 World Cup.
In addition to Cuba, Panama (Group B), Haiti (Group C), Costa Rica (Group D), the United States (Group E), Jamaica (Group G), and Honduras (Group H) also secured their qualification for the next World Cup.
The following players comprised the undefeated Cuban U-17 soccer team:
Kevin Reydel Méndez Martiatu
Claudio Daisson Rill
Yulio Noslen Godínez Martínez
Eliecer David Sidos Suárez
Erick Daniel Martín López
Harold Jonathan Cruz Guerra
Deiby Lázaro Borrell Arozarena
Alexandro Sevillano Mojarena
Erick Luis La O Correa
Iker Yornan Rodríguez Rodríguez
Jesús Fabián Bernabé Reyes
Dilan Leyva Vives
David Estrada De Gregorio
Luis Gustavo Naveda Gallardo
Yojanry González Jiménez
Deivys Anthony Coroneaux Charon
Yankarlos Iglesias Maneiro
Kevin Daniel Díaz Quiros
Yan Carlos García Aliaga
Iván Darío Pacheco Millares
Israel Entenza Pérez
With information from CNA
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