Guyana ends group stage unbeaten but unable to advance to FIFA U-17 World Cup

Guyana’s Under-17 men’s national football team has concluded their Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the British Virgin Islands in Costa Rica on Sunday evening.

The result means they exit the group stage unbeaten, with one win and three draws.

Drawn in a tough group alongside Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana defied expectations with their impressive performances.

They remain undefeated against both nations, marking a historic achievement for Guyanese U-17 football.

Jaden Harris gave Guyana the lead in the 53rd minute, but a late equaliser from the British Virgin Islands Luca Stuttard in added time denied them a final victory.

While Guyana’s hopes of progressing to the next round were slim, their strong showing is a testament to the team’s progress.

Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Haiti secured Concacaf berths at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has credited the team’s success to their partnership with Spanish club Racing Madrid, which saw the appointment of head coach Marco Bonofiglio and a new technical staff.

“I’m incredibly proud of these boys and what they’ve accomplished,” said Coach Bonofiglio. “Going undefeated in a tournament of this magnitude and making history for Guyana is no small feat. This journey has set a new standard for Guyanese football. This is only the beginning.”

GFF President Wayne Forde praised the team, coaching staff, and parents for their contributions.  He also thanked Racing Madrid and President Steve Nijjar for their support, as well as President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali for his unwavering commitment to the team.

“These young men have put in tremendous effort over the past months and have truly shown us what is possible through hard work and determination,” said Forde.