Honduras national football team explained

Honduras
Badge:Honduras football crest.svg
Badge Size:150px
Nickname:Los Catrachos (The Catrachos)
La Bicolor (The Bicolor)
La H (The H)
Association:Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras
Coach:Reinaldo Rueda
Captain:Anthony Lozano
Most Caps:Maynor Figueroa (181)
Top Scorer:Carlos Pavón (57)[1]
Home Stadium:Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano
Fifa Trigramme:HON
Fifa Max:20
Fifa Max Date:2001
Fifa Min:101
Fifa Min Date:December 2015
Elo Max:20
Elo Max Date:September 2001
Elo Min:104
Elo Min Date:November 1971
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Largest Win: 10–0
(San José, Costa Rica; 13 March 1946)
Largest Loss: 9–0
(Guatemala City, Guatemala; 14 September 1921)
World Cup Apps:3
World Cup First:1982
World Cup Best:Group stage (1982, 2010, 2014)
Regional Name:CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup
Regional Cup Apps:22
Regional Cup First:1963
Regional Cup Best:Champions (1981)
2Ndregional Name:Nations League Finals
2Ndregional Cup Apps:1
2Ndregional Cup First:2021
2Ndregional Cup Best:Third place (2021)
3Rdregional Name:Copa América
3Rdregional Cup Apps:1
3Rdregional Cup First:2001
3Rdregional Cup Best:Third place (2001)

The Honduras national football team (Spanish; Castilian: Selección de fútbol de Honduras) represents Honduras in men's international football. The team is governed by the Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras. They are nicknamed Los Catrachos, La Bicolor, or La H.

Honduras has qualified for the World Cup three times, in 1982, 2010, and 2014, and never advanced beyond the group stage. Outside of the FIFA World Cup tournament, Honduras has competed in several other international competitions, like the CONCACAF Championship (which they won in 1981), and the Copa América (which their best result was third place in 2001). Apart from that, Honduras has also won the Central American Cup championship four times, having won the final edition in 2017. The national team plays in the Nations League

History

The national team made its debut in the Independence Centenary Games held in Guatemala City in September 1921, losing 9–0 to Guatemala.[2] The Honduras Men's National Team is the representative team in official men's football. They are nicknamed los Catrachos or The H, they were founded in and played in a football tournament organized to celebrate Central American Independence the first international football match.

During their first appearance at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1930, Honduras posted a record of two wins and three losses. Their only wins came against Jamaica (5–1) and El Salvador (4–1), while they lost two games to Cuba and Costa Rica.

The national association, the National Autonomous Federation of Football of Honduras (FENAFUTH) was founded in 1935. It joined FIFA in 1946 and co-founded CONCACAF in 1961.[3]

1970 World Cup and the Football War

Prior to the qualification stages leading up to the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador found themselves in what was called the Football War. This nickname was given to the situation after a play-off game was played between the two countries to decide which would qualify for the Finals. This political crisis eventually turned into a war that lasted approximately 100 hours.

Honduras had begun qualifying by defeating Costa Rica and Jamaica. Against Jamaica, they easily won both games, 5–1 on aggregate. They beat Costa Rica 1–0 in Tegucigalpa and drew 1–1 away. This set up a final match between Honduras and El Salvador, who had eliminated Guyana and the Netherlands Antilles.

In the first game against El Salvador, Honduras won 1–0 in Tegucigalpa on 8 June 1969. Honduras were coached by Carlos Padilla Velásquez and the only goal of the game was scored by Leonard Welch. Honduras lost the second game 3–0 in San Salvador, and a play-off was required in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on 27 June. El Salvador won 3–2 to qualify and eliminate Honduras from the qualifications.

1982 World Cup

See main article: 1982 FIFA World Cup. Honduras won the 1981 CONCACAF Championship and qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 1982. Despite drawing against the hosts Spain and Northern Ireland, both 1–1, they were eliminated in the first round after losing their last match to Yugoslavia 1–0.Honduras finished second in the 1985 CONCACAF Championship, losing their final match 2–1 against Canada, who went on to qualify for the 1986 World Cup. Their next major accomplishment was being runners-up at the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup, losing against the host nation, the United States.

For the 1998 World Cup, Jamaica and Mexico eliminated Honduras at the third round stage. Despite Honduras's overwhelming 11–3 victory against Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Jamaica defeated Mexico at Independence Park, Kingston, allowing the Reggae Boys to advance to the next round.

2001 Copa América

See main article: 2001 Copa América. Since 1993, CONMEBOL has invited teams from other confederations to participate in their confederation championship, the Copa América. Honduras took part as one of the last-minute teams added for the 2001 tournament, as Argentina dropped out one day before the start. The team arrived only a few hours before the tournament's first game and with barely enough players. Despite the odds, Honduras progressed into the quarter-finals, where they defeated Brazil 2–0. In the semi-finals, Colombia knocked out Honduras 2–0.

Honduras advanced to the final round in the qualifying competition for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but again failed to qualify after losing at home to Trinidad & Tobago, and away against Mexico in their final two matches. The match against Trinidad, and Tobago saw Honduras hit the goal post eight times.

2010 World Cup

See main article: 2010 FIFA World Cup. On 14 October 2009, Honduras qualified for the 2010 World Cup after a 1–0 win against El Salvador gave them the third automatic qualifying spot from the Fourth round of CONCACAF Qualifying.[4]

See main article: 2010 FIFA World Cup Group H. Honduras faced Chile, Spain, and Switzerland in their first-round group.[5] In their first match they lost to Chile 1–0, to a goal from Jean Beausejour. They then lost 2–0 to Spain, with both goals scored by David Villa. In their last match they drew 0–0 against Switzerland and were eliminated in last place in the group.

2014 World Cup

See main article: 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF).

In the qualifying competition for the 2014 World Cup, Honduras were given a bye to the third round because of their third-place position among CONCACAF teams in the March 2011 FIFA World Rankings. They qualified for the final round by finishing first in their group, which included Panama, Canada and Cuba. After beginning with a home defeat against Panama, Honduras recovered and beat Canada 8–1 in their final match, allowing them to win the group ahead of Panama.

In the final round of qualifying, the Hexagonal, six teams faced each other in a home-and-away format. In their first two games, Honduras defeated the United States 2–1 and came back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2–2 with Mexico. They lost three of their next four matches before traveling to Mexico City to face Mexico in the Azteca. Honduras again trailed but scored twice in the second half for a stunning 2–1 win. They returned to Tegucigalpa, where they drew 2–2 against Panama, who escaped defeat with a last-minute goal by Roberto Chen. In the final two games, Honduras beat Costa Rica 1–0 at home and qualified with a 2–2 draw against Jamaica in Kingston.

See main article: 2014 FIFA World Cup Group E. In the Finals in Brazil, Honduras again finished bottom of their first-round group, after 3–0 defeats against France and Switzerland, and a 2–1 defeat to Ecuador. The match against France featured the first use of goal-line technology to award a goal at the World Cup: an own-goal by Honduras's goalkeeper, Noel Valladares. Against Ecuador, Carlo Costly scored Honduras's first goal in the Finals for 31 years.

Decline

Honduras failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. In the Hexagonal stage they dropped into fourth place after Panama scored an 88th-minute winning goal in their last match against Costa Rica. Honduras had themselves dropped points by conceding late goals in their two previous games, against Costa Rica and the United States. They entered a play-off against Australia, and after a 0–0 draw at home, Honduras were eliminated when they lost the second leg in Sydney 3–1.

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CONCACAF third round, Honduras did considerably worse, with the Hondurans, for the first time ever in a World Cup qualification, failed to register a win, with just four draws. Immediate effect with the national team as they are going through a generational change of players for the team.

Home stadium

Honduras plays the majority of its home games at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula.

The national team also plays at Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa. In the past, Honduras played their games in San Pedro Sula at Estadio Francisco Morazán.

Estadio Nilmo Edwards in La Ceiba has also hosted friendly exhibition matches since 2007.

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplierPeriod
1982–1988
1989-1991
1991–1992
Score 1992-1998
1999–present

Results and fixtures

See main article: Honduras national football team results (2020–present).

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2025

Coaching staff

PositionName
Head coach Reinaldo Rueda
Assistant coach Alexis Mendoza
Assistant coach Giovanni Hernandez
Goalkeeping coach Nestor Lo Tartaro
Fitness coach Juan Carlos Quintero
Video Analyst Pablo Roman
Psychologist Orlando Caicedo
General Director Gerardo Ramos
Team Manager Luis Breve
Press Officer Edwin Banegas
Photographer and Social Media Magdiel Lagos
Nutritionist Oswaldo Sandoval
Doctor Jose Murillo
Doctor Guillermo Toledo
Physiotherapy Josue Fortin
Physiotherapy Gerardo Mejia
Physiotherapy Marcio Rivera
Equipment Manager Genrry Mejia
Equipment Manager Kelsim Flores
Equipment Manager Agustin Mejia

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following 31 players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Cuba and Bermuda on 6 and 9 June 2024 and the friendly against Ecuador on 16 June 2024.[6]

Caps and goals updated as of 17 June 2024 after the match against Ecuador.

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Honduran squad in the last twelve months. INJ PRE PRE PRE WD WD

Records

[7]

Players in bold are still active with Honduras.

Most appearances

width=30pxRankwidth=150pxPlayerwidth=50pxCapswidth=50pxGoalswidth=100pxCareer
1 181 5 2003–2022
2 138 27 1994–2010
3 Noel Valladares135 0 2000–2016
4 Boniek García134 3 2005–2021
5 111 5 2007–2020
6 101 57 1993–2010
7 97 5 2003–2014
8 87 7 1999–2010
9 86 4 2004–2014
86 33 1994–2008

Top goalscorers

width=30pxRankwidth=150pxPlayerwidth=50pxGoalswidth=50pxCapswidth=50pxRatiowidth=100pxCareer
1 57 101 1993–2010
2 35 47 1994–2007
3 33 86 1994–2008
4 32 78 2007–2017
5 28 51 1991–1998
6 27 138 1994–2010
7 Jerry Bengtson 23 70 2010–present
8 19 36 1991–2000
9 17 57 1999–2012
10 16 35 2001–2009

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

See main article: Honduras at the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup recordwidth=1% rowspan=28Qualification record
YearRoundPositionSquad
1930Not a FIFA memberNot a FIFA member
1934
1938
1950Did not enterDeclined participation
1954
1958
1962Did not qualify521258
1966401316
19707412108
197472411110
1978WithdrewWithdrew
1982Group stage18th302123Squad13841236
1986Did not qualify10532159
1990202011
1994146352320
199863121811
20022214265625
20068341158
2010Group stage30th301203Squad1810263218
201431st300318Squad167542515
2018Did not qualify185762028
2022140410726
2026Qualification in progress220092
2030To be determinedTo be determined
2034
TotalGroup stage9036314166714451271204

CONCACAF Gold Cup

See main article: Honduras at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup recordwidth=1% rowspan=30Qualification record
YearRoundPositionSquad
1963Fourth place4th7313812SquadQualified automatically
1965Did not qualify200215
1967Third place3rd522142SquadQualified as hosts
1969BannedBanned
1971Sixth place6th5014511Squad211021
1973Fourth place4th513166Squad211054
1977Did not enterDid not enter
1981Champions1st532081Squad8521155
1985Runners-up2nd8332119Squad220040
1989Did not qualify202011
1991Runners-up2nd5320123Squad521255
1993Group stage5th310265Squad330070
19968th200218Squad431081
19989th200215Squad521285
2000Quarter-finals6th320175Squad5401115
2002Did not qualify3111125
2003Group stage10th201112Squad7313107
2005Semi-finals3rd531186Squad5320123
2007Quarter-finals5th4202106Squad3111115
2009Semi-finals3rd530264Squad540193
2011Semi-finals4th512285Squad431083
20134th530255Squad412133
2015Group stage11th301224Squad420233
2017Quarter-finals7th411232Squad541073
2019Group stage10th 310264SquadQualified automatically
2021Quarter-finals8th420277Squad431081
2023Group stage10th311136Squad420257
Total1 Title22/27933521371281188850191915575

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
LeagueFinals
SeasonDivisionGroupYearResult
2019–20AC6321104 2021Third place201120Squad
2022–23AC420257 2023Did not qualify
2023–24AB421181 2024
2024–25ABTo be determined 2025To be determined
Total147342312Total0 Titles201120

Copa América

See main article: Honduras at the Copa América.

Copa América record
width=90Yearwidth=90Roundwidth=60Positionwidth=20width=20width=20width=20width=20width=20width=60Squad
2001Third place3rd631275Squad
2016Did not qualify
2024
TotalThird place631275

Copa Centroamericana

Copa Centroamericana record
YearRoundPosition
1991Runners-up2nd521255
1993Champions1st330070
1995Champions1st431081
1997Fourth place4th521285
1999Third place3rd5401115
2001Group stage5th3111125
2003Fourth place4th511345
2005Runners-up2nd5320123
2007Fifth place5th3111115
2009Third place3rd540193
2011Champions1st431083
2013Runners-up2nd412133
2014Fifth place5th420233
2017Champions1st541073
Total4 Titles14/146034121410849

CCCF Championship

CCCF Championship record
YearRoundPosition
1941Did not enter
1943
1946Fourth place4th52031712
1948Did not enter
1951
1953Runners-up2nd64021310
1955Third place3rd631296
1957Third place3rd421164
1960Third place3rd403167
1961Third place3rd63031311
TotalRunners-up6/1031145126450

Pan American Games

Pan American Games record
YearRoundPosition
1951Did not participate
1955
1959
1963
1967
1971
1975
1979
1983
1987
1991Fourth place4th5113611
1995Fourth place4th6123810
Since 1999See Honduras national under-23 football team
TotalFourth place2/12112361421

Central American and Caribbean Games

Central American and Caribbean Games record
YearRoundPosition
1930Third place3rd5203922
1935Fifth place5th5113620
1938Did not participate
1946
1950Third place3rd630376
1954Did not participate
1959
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986Runners-up2nd541071
1990Did not participate
1993
1998
2002Quarter-finals7th310245
2006Fourth place4th7502168
2010Preliminary round7th201101
2014Fourth place4th5203811
2018Third place3rd531183
TotalRunners-up9/2243214186577

Central American Games

Central American Games record
YearRoundPosition
1973Did not qualify
1977
1986Runners-up2nd320161
1990Champions1st430182
1994Champions1st3300164
1997Third place3rd421163
2001Runners-up2nd641195
2006Not held
2010
2013Champions1st431061
2017Champions1st422071
Total4 Titles7/112819545817

Head-to-head record

As of 16 June 2024 after the match against .[8]

Honours

Major competitions

Other competitions

Friendly

FIFA World Ranking

See also: FIFA World Rankings.

Last update was on 24 March 2024Source:[9]

Best Ranking   Worst Ranking   Best Mover   Worst Mover  

Honduras' History
RankYearBestWorst
RankMoveRankMove
78 2024
76 2023 76 2 81 1
81 2022 78 2 82 4
76 2021 63 4 76 8
64 2020 62 64 1
62 2019 61 4 67 6
62 2018 59 5 67 3
68 2017 65 10 75 3
75 2016 75 10 98 4
101 2015 72 5 101 8
71 2014 30 4 72 13
42 2013 34 12 59 7
58 2012 51 10 72 8
53 2011 38 17 57 7
59 2010 34 3 59 8
37 2009 35 7 46 7
40 2008 36 10 61 13
53 2007 52 7 63 8
56 2006 38 26 81 43
41 2005 39 11 59 4
59 2004 47 12 59 6
49 2003 37 3 49 5
40 2002 25 3 43 8
27 2001 20 25 51 4
46 2000 46 14 74 6
69 1999 69 14 80 2
91 1998 64 9 95 17
73 1997 45 5 73 8
45 1996 42 5 57 6
49 1995 49 20 71 20
53 1994 40 2 56 7
40 1993 39 2 41 1

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Players with 100+ Caps and 30+ International Goals . Mamrud, Roberto . Stokkermans, Karel . 29 January 2011 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20110628192800/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/century.html . 28 June 2011 .
  2. Web site: Courtney. Barrie. Honduras International Soccer Matches Since 1920. 13 November 2006. RSSSF. 2 November 2010. 21 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221021004110/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesh/hond-intres.html. live.
  3. Web site: Honduras – Association Information. https://web.archive.org/web/20150820230310/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=HON/about.html. dead. 20 August 2015. FIFA.
  4. Web site: Pavon puts visitors through. 2009-10-14. ESPN. 2009-10-15. 19 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121019204450/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=279542&cc=5739. dead.
  5. News: England enjoy kind World Cup draw . BBC News . 4 December 2009 . 4 May 2010 . 3 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403181851/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8393328.stm . live .
  6. LaHSomosTodos. 1795510454065742183. ́ #. Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras. es. 28 May 2024.
  7. Web site: Passo Alpuin . Luis Fernando . Honduras - Record International Players . RSSSF . 2 February 2023 . 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330193345/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/hond-recintlp.html . live .
  8. Web site: World Football Elo Ratings. eloratings.net.
  9. Web site: Honduras in the FIFA World Ranking. 26 July 2020. 15 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211215202254/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/HON. live.