2025 CONCACAF Central American Cup
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 29 July – 4 December |
| Teams | 20 (from 7 associations) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Alajuelense (3rd title) |
| Runners-up | Xelajú |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 58 |
| Goals scored | 168 (2.9 per match) |
| Top scorer | Jorge Benguché (8 goals) |
| Best player | Bayron Mora |
| Best young player | Creichel Pérez |
| Best goalkeeper | Darío Silva |
| Fair play award | Xelajú |
← 2024 2026 → | |
The 2025 CONCACAF Central American Cup is the third edition of the CONCACAF Central American Cup, the first-tier annual international club football competition in the Central American region, contested by clubs whose football associations are affiliated with the Central American Football Union (UNCAF), a sub-confederation of CONCACAF.
The winners of the 2025 CONCACAF Central American Cup will qualify directly for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16, while the second through sixth place teams will qualify to Round One.[1]
Teams
Twenty teams from the seven UNCAF member associations qualified for the tournament based on results from their domestic leagues.[2][3] Eighteen slots were predetermined by CONCACAF while the remaining two slots were again granted to Costa Rica and Nicaragua as the national associations whose clubs were finalists in the previous edition of the tournament.[4][5] The slot allocation for this edition was as follows:
- Costa Rica: 3+1 berths
- El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama: 3 berths
- Nicaragua: 2+1 berths
- Belize: 1 berth
| Association | Team | Qualifying method |
|---|---|---|
| Belize (1 berth) | Verdes | 2024–25 Premier League tournament champions (2025 Closing) with better record in aggregate table.[6] |
| Costa Rica (4 berths) |
Herediano | 2024–25 Liga FPD Apertura and Clausura champions[7] |
| Alajuelense | 2024–25 Liga FPD aggregate table best team not yet qualified[7] | |
| Saprissa | 2024–25 Liga FPD aggregate table second-best team not yet qualified[7] | |
| Cartaginés | 2024–25 Liga FPD aggregate table third-best team not yet qualified[7] | |
| El Salvador (3 berths) |
Hércules [note 1] | 2024–25 Primera División Apertura champions[8] |
| Alianza | 2024–25 Primera División Clausura champions[8] | |
| Águila | 2024–25 Primera División aggregate table best team not yet qualified[8] | |
| Guatemala (3 berths) |
Xelajú | 2024–25 Liga Nacional Torneo Apertura champions[9] |
| Antigua | 2024–25 Liga Nacional Torneo Clausura champions[9] | |
| Municipal | 2024–25 Liga Nacional aggregate table best team not yet qualified[9] | |
| Honduras (3 berths) |
Motagua | 2024–25 Honduran Liga Nacional Apertura champions[10][4] |
| Olimpia | 2024–25 Honduran Liga Nacional Clausura champions[10][4] | |
| Real España | 2024–25 Honduran Liga Nacional aggregate table best team not yet qualified[10][4] | |
| Nicaragua (3 berths) |
Diriangén | 2024–25 Liga Primera Apertura champions[11][12] |
| Managua | 2024–25 Liga Primera Clausura champions[11][12] | |
| Real Estelí | 2024–25 Liga Primera aggregate table best team not yet qualified[11][12] | |
| Panama (3 berths) |
Independiente | 2024 Liga Panameña Torneo Clausura champions[13][14] |
| Plaza Amador | 2025 Liga Panameña Torneo Apertura champions[13][14] | |
| Sporting San Miguelito | 2024 Liga Panameña Torneo Clausura and 2025 Liga Panameña Torneo Apertura aggregate table best team not yet qualified[13][14] |
Draw
The draw for the group stage was held on 8 June 2023, 18:30 EDT (UTC−4), in Miami, Florida, United States. The 20 involved teams were previously seeded into five pots of four teams each based on their CONCACAF Club Ranking as of 2 June 2025.[3][15]
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For the group stage, the 20 teams were drawn into four groups (Groups A–D) of five containing a team from each of the five pots. Teams from pot 1 were drawn first and were placed in the first position of their group, starting from Group A to Group D. The same procedure was followed for teams from pots 2, 3, 4 and 5, and they were placed in positions 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively, within the group to which they were drawn. Each group must contain no more than two clubs from the same national association.[3]
Schedule
The schedule of the competition is as follows.[1]
| Stage | Round | First leg | Second leg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Matchday 1 | 29–31 July | |
| Matchday 2 | 5–7 August | ||
| Matchday 3 | 12–14 August | ||
| Matchday 4 | 19–21 August | ||
| Matchday 5 | 26–28 August | ||
| Knockout | Quarterfinals | 23–25 September | 30 September – 2 October |
| Semifinals and Play-in | 21–23 October | 28–30 October | |
| Finals | 25–27 November | 2–4 December | |
Group stage
In the group stage, each group is played on a single home-and-away round-robin basis, with teams playing against each other once, for a total of four matches per team (two home and two away). The winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the quarter-finals of the knockout stage.
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | PLA | ALA | ANT | ALI | MAN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plaza Amador | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 12 | Advance to Quarter-finals | — | — | — | 1–0 | 3–2 | |
| 2 | Alajuelense | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 9 | 1–2 | — | 1–0 | — | — | ||
| 3 | Antigua | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3–5 | — | — | 0–0 | — | ||
| 4 | Alianza | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 4 | — | 0–1 | — | — | 1–0 | ||
| 5 | Managua | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 0 | — | 1–2 | 1–4 | — | — |
Source: CONCACAF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored); 5) Fair play points; 6) Drawing of lots.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored); 5) Fair play points; 6) Drawing of lots.
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SSM | RES | MUN | DIR | HER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sporting San Miguelito | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 7 | Advance to Quarter-finals | — | — | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | |
| 2 | Real España | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 6 | 4–0 | — | — | 1–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Municipal | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 6 | 1–1 | 2–1 | — | — | — | ||
| 4 | Diriangén | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | — | — | 1–1 | — | 4–2 | ||
| 5 | Herediano | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 12 | −2 | 4 | — | 4–2 | 4–4 | — | — |
Source: CONCACAF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored); 5) Fair play points; 6) Drawing of lots.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored); 5) Fair play points; 6) Drawing of lots.
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MOT | CAR | SAP | CAI | VER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motagua | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 8 | Advance to Quarter-finals | — | 0–0 | — | 2–1 | — | |
| 2 | Cartaginés | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 7 | — | — | — | 4–0 | 8–1 | ||
| 3 | Saprissa | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 | 0–0 | 2–0 | — | — | — | ||
| 4 | Independiente | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 6 | — | — | 1–0 | — | 3–1 | ||
| 5 | Verdes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 17 | −13 | 0 | 1–4 | — | 1–2 | — | — |
Source: CONCACAF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored); 5) Fair play points; 6) Drawing of lots.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored); 5) Fair play points; 6) Drawing of lots.
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | OLI | XEL | EST | ÁGU | HER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olimpia | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 10 | Advance to Quarter-finals | — | 3–0 | 3–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Xelajú | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 9 | — | — | 4–1 | 3–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Real Estelí | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 6 | — | — | — | 2–0 | 3–0 | ||
| 4 | Águila | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 4 | 2–2 | — | — | — | 2–0 | ||
| 5 | Hércules | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 | −9 | 0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | — | — | — |
Source: CONCACAF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored); 5) Fair play points; 6) Drawing of lots.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored); 5) Fair play points; 6) Drawing of lots.
Knockout stage
The knockout stage is being played in a single-elimination tournament with the following rules:[2]
- Each tie is played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The home team of the second leg in each tie will be determined separately for each round as follows (Regulations Article 12.11):
- In the quarter-finals, the group winners hosted the second leg.
- In the semi-finals and play-in, the higher-ranked teams based on total points accumulated in the group stage and the quarterfinals will host the second leg.
- In the finals, the higher-ranked team based on total points accumulated in the group stage, quarterfinals and semi-finals will host the second leg.
- In each round, if tied on aggregate, the away goals rule would be used. If still tied, 30 minutes of extra time would be played but the away goals scored during this time would not serve as a tie-breaking criteria. If still tied after extra time, the penalty shoot-out would be used to determine the winner (Regulations Article 12.10.2).
Qualified teams
| Group | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| A | Plaza Amador | Alajuelense |
| B | Sporting San Miguelito | Real España |
| C | Motagua | Cartaginés |
| D | Olimpia | Xelajú |
Seeding
Teams were seeded 1–8 based on results in the group stage and assigned a position in a fixed bracket. For each round, the host of the second leg was determined based on performance in all previous rounds, including the group stage.
The following was the seeding for the quarter-finals round only:[16]
| Seed | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Matchups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Plaza Amador | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 12 | Match QF1 |
| 2 | D | Olimpia | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 10 | Match QF3 |
| 3 | C | Motagua | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 8 | Match QF4 |
| 4 | B | Sporting San Miguelito | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 7 | Match QF2 |
| 5 | D | Xelajú | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 9 | Match QF2 |
| 6 | A | Alajuelense | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 9 | Match QF4 |
| 7 | C | Cartaginés | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 7 | Match QF3 |
| 8 | B | Real España | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 6 | Match QF1 |
Source: CONCACAF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Away goals scored; 5) Wins; 6) Away wins; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for yellow card, 3 points for second yellow card/indirect red card, 4 points for direct red card, 5 points for yellow card and direct red card); 8) Drawing of lots (Regulations Article 12.11.4).[2]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Away goals scored; 5) Wins; 6) Away wins; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for yellow card, 3 points for second yellow card/indirect red card, 4 points for direct red card, 5 points for yellow card and direct red card); 8) Drawing of lots (Regulations Article 12.11.4).[2]
Bracket
The bracket was decided based on the quarter-finals seeding.
| Play-in | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Finals | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Cartaginés | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Olimpia | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cartaginés | 1 | 3 | 4 | Alajuelense | 1 | 1 | 2 (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Motagua | 0 | 1 | 1 | Olimpia | 1 | 1 | 2 (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Alajuelense (a) | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Motagua | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alajuelense | 1 | 1 | 2 (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xelajú | 1 | 1 | 2 (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Xelajú (a.e.t.) | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Sporting San Miguelito | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sporting San Miguelito | 1 | 3 | 4 | Xelajú | 1 | 1 | 2 (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Plaza Amador | 0 | 2 | 2 | Real España | 1 | 1 | 2 (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Real España (a) | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Plaza Amador | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter-finals
The first legs were played on 23–25 September, and the second legs were played between 30 September and 2 October 2025.[16]
| Team 1 | Agg. Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real España | 2–2 (a) | Plaza Amador | 0–1 | 2–1 |
| Xelajú | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Sporting San Miguelito | 2–0 | 1–2 |
| Cartaginés | 2–5 | Olimpia | 1–2 | 1–3 |
| Alajuelense | 2–2 (a) | Motagua | 0–1 | 2–1 |
Play-in
| Team 1 | Agg. Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartaginés | 4–1 | Motagua | 1–0 | 3–1 |
| Sporting San Miguelito | 4–2 | Plaza Amador | 1–0 | 3–2 |
Semi-finals
| Team 1 | Agg. Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real España | 2–2 (1–2 p) | Xelajú | 1–1 | 1–1 |
| Alajuelense | 2–2 (3–0 p) | Olimpia | 1–1 | 1–1 |
Finals
| Team 1 | Agg. Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alajuelense | 2–2 (4–3 p) | Xelajú | 1–1 | 1–1 |
Top goalscorers
Team eliminated for this round.
Team inactive for this round.
- As of 30 October 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | GS1 | GS2 | GS3 | GS4 | GS5 | QF1 | QF2 | PI1 | PI2 | SF1 | SF2 | F1 | F2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jorge Benguché | Olimpia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | ||||||
| 2 | Marco Ureña | Cartaginés | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||
| 3 | Johan Venegas | Cartaginés | 3 | 2 | 5 | |||||||||||
| 4 | Brayan Moya | Real España | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
| Everardo Rose | Plaza Amador | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 6 | Junior Arteaga | Diriangén | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Pedro Báez | Xelajú | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Jerry Bengtson | Olimpia | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Mauro Caballero | Águila | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Anthony Hernández | Alajuelense | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Marcel Hernández | Herediano | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Martín Ruíz | Sporting San Miguelito | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Jorlian Sánchez | Plaza Amador | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Gustavo Souza | Real España | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||
See also
References
- ^ a b "Concacaf confirms key details for 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup". Miami, FL: CONCACAF. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "CONCACAF Central American Cup 2025 Regulations" (PDF). CONCACAF. 21 April 2025 [Approved on 13 March 2025]. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Concacaf confirms 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup participating clubs and draw pots". Miami, FL: CONCACAF. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d Palma, Antoni (5 January 2025). "Se confirma cuántos cupos tendrá Honduras para la Copa Centroamericana 2025" [It is confirmed how many slots Honduras will have for the 2025 Central American Cup] (in Spanish). Canal Deportes TVC.
- ^ Torres, Francisco (27 November 2024). "¿Peligra El Salvador? ¿Qué pasaría con sus cupos si el Estelí gana la Copa Centroamericana?" [What would happen to El Salvador's quota if Esteli wins the Central American Cup?] (in Spanish). El Gráfico.
- ^ Morales Iglesias, Rubén (30 April 2025). "Premier League of Belize: 2024-2025 Closing Champions Verdes secure Concacaf Central American Cup spot". Breaking Belize News.
- ^ a b c d "Normas de Competición Liga Promerica Temporada 2024 – 2025" (PDF) (in Spanish). UNAFUT. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Recinos, Raúl (24 December 2024). "¿Quiénes acompañarán al 11 Deportivo a la Copa Centroamericana 2025?" [Who will accompany the 11 Deportivo to the 2025 Central American Cup?] (in Spanish). Diario El Salvador.
- ^ a b c Ordóñez, Oscar (24 December 2024). "Copa Centroamericana: ¿Cómo está la clasificación de los clubes guatemaltecos a la edición del 2025?" [Central American Cup: How are Guatemalan clubs qualifying for the 2025 edition?] (in Spanish). Prensa Libre.
- ^ a b c "BASES DEL TORNEO DE APERTURA Y CLAUSURA TEMPORADA 2024-2025 DE LA LIGA NACIONAL DE FUTBOL PROFESIONAL DE PRIMERA DIVISIÓN DE HONDURAS" (PDF) (in Spanish). Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional de Honduras. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Los tres equipos que representarán a Nicaragua en la Copa Centroamericana 2025" [The three teams that will represent Nicaragua in the 2025 Central American Cup] (in Spanish). La Prensa. 18 April 2025.
- ^ a b c Rayo, Fernando (11 May 2025). "Listos los tres clubes Nicaragua para Copa Centroamericana 2025" [Three Nicaraguan clubs ready for 2025 Central American Cup] (in Spanish). TN8.
- ^ a b c "REGLAMENTO DE COMPETENCIAS TEMPORADA 2024" (PDF). lpf.com.pa (in Spanish). Liga Panameña de Fútbol. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "REGLAMENTO DE COMPETENCIAS TEMPORADA 2025" (PDF). lpf.com.pa (in Spanish). Liga Panameña de Fútbol. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ "Concacaf Club Ranking as of June 2, 2025". CONCACAF. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ a b "2025 Concacaf Central American Cup Quarterfinal Matchups and Schedule". CONCACAF. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
Notes
- ^ Originally, Once Deportivo was going to participate. However, the team disbanded due to purchase of the category and change of venue.
External links
- Official website at CONCACAF.com