Nicaragua national football team

Nicaragua
Nickname(s)La Azul y Blanco (The Blue and White)
Los Pinoleros (The Pinoleros)
AssociationFederación Nicaragüense de Fútbol (FENIFUT)
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationUNCAF (Central America)
Head coachVacant
CaptainJuan Barrera
Most capsJosué Quijano (108)
Top scorerJuan Barrera (26)
Home stadiumEstadio Nacional de Fútbol
FIFA codeNCA
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 132 1 (19 November 2025)[1]
Highest92 (December 2015)
Lowest193 (May 2001)
First international
 El Salvador 9–0 Nicaragua 
(San Salvador, El Salvador; 1 May 1929)
Biggest win
 Turks and Caicos Islands 0–7 Nicaragua 
(San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic; 27 March 2021)
Biggest defeat
 Honduras 10–0 Nicaragua 
(San José, Costa Rica; 13 March 1946)
 Curaçao 11–1 Nicaragua 
(Guatemala City, Guatemala; 2 March 1950)
CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup
Appearances5 (first in 1963)
Best resultSixth place (1967)
CONCACAF Nations League
Appearances4 (first in 2019–20)
Best resultGroup stage (2024–25)
CCCF Championship
Appearances6 (first in 1941)
Best resultThird place (1951)
Copa Centroamericana
Appearances14 (first in 1991)
Best resultFifth place (2005, 2009, 2017)
Medal record

The Nicaragua national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Nicaragua) represents Nicaragua in men's international football, which is governed by the Federación Nicaragüense de Fútbol (English: Nicaraguan Football Federation) founded in 1931. It has been an affiliate member of FIFA since 1950 and a founding affiliate member of CONCACAF since 1961. Regionally, it is an affiliate member of UNCAF in the Central American Zone.

Nicaragua has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, but has participated five times in CONCACAF's premier continental competition, finishing sixth place in the 1967 CONCACAF Championship. It has participated three times in League B and once in League A of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Regionally, the team finished in third place in the CCCF Championship in 1957, and also finished in fifth place three times in the Copa Centroamericana.[3]

Nicaragua's first appearance in international competition was in the 1941 CCCF Championship. Their first appearance in World Cup qualifiers was in the 1994 CONCACAF qualification.

History

Nicaragua traveled to El Salvador for their first ever international, losing 9–0 to the hosts on 1 May 1929. They did not play another match for over twelve years, until the qualifying group for the 1941 CCCF Championship in Costa Rica. They lost all 4 games: 7–2 to the hosts Costa Rica on 10 May, 8–0 to El Salvador on 13 May, 9–1 to the Netherlands Antilles on 15 May and 5–2 to Panama on 18 May. Therefore, Nicaragua finished bottom of the group and did not make the final group.[4]

Recent times

After qualifying for the 2019 Gold Cup on the back of finishing ninth in Nations League qualifying, they would go on to finish bottom of the group with losses to Costa Rica, Haiti and Bermuda.[5]

Nicaragua qualified directly for the 2023 Gold Cup and was promoted to Nations League A as group winners in Nations League B but was disqualified on 12 June 2023 for fielding an ineligible player. As a result, they were replaced in the Gold Cup and League A by Trinidad and Tobago, who was the best second-place team overall in League B and must stay in Nations League B.[6]

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier Period
Puma 1998-2003
Joma 2004–2021
Keuka 2022–2024
Orion 2025-Present

Results and fixtures

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

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2025

21 March 2025 Gold Cup qualification Guadeloupe  1–0  Nicaragua Le Gosier, Guadeloupe
20:00 UTC−4
  • David 17'
Report Stadium: Stade Roger Zami
Referee: Nelson Salgado (Honduras)
25 March 2025 Gold Cup qualification Nicaragua  0–1
(0–2 agg.)
 Guadeloupe Managua, Nicaragua
18:30 UTC−6 Report
Stadium: Estadio Nacional de Fútbol
Referee: Fernando Hernández (Mexico)
Note: Guadeloupe won 2–0 on aggregate and qualified for the Finals.
1 June Friendly Puerto Rico  1–1  Nicaragua Pawtucket, United States
16:30 UTC−4
Report
  • Hernández 60'
Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Panama  3–0  Nicaragua Panama City, Panama
19:00 UTC−5
Report Stadium: Estadio Rommel Fernández
Referee: Ismael López (Mexico)
5 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Nicaragua  1–1  Costa Rica Managua, Nicaragua
20:00 UTC−6
Report
Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Attendance: 19,532
Referee: Marco Ortíz (Mexico)
9 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Nicaragua  0–3  Haiti Managua, Nicaragua
18:00 UTC−6 Report
Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Referee: Víctor Cáceres Hernández (Mexico)
13 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Costa Rica  4–1  Nicaragua San José, Costa Rica
20:00 UTC−6
Report
  • Arteaga 26'
Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Referee: Ismael Cornejo (El Salvador)
13 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Nicaragua  2–0  Honduras Managua, Nicaragua
20:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States)

Coaching staff

Position Name
Technical director Roger Rodriguez
Head coach Vacant
Assistant coach Vacant
Assistant coach Vacant
Goalkeeping coach Vacant
Physical coordinator Vacant
Doctor Vacant
Physiotherapist Vacant
Team coordinator Cesar Castro Trinidad
Team coordinator Nestor Díaz

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up to the squad for 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League matches against Jamaica and French Guiana on 10 and 14 October 2024.[7]

Caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2024, after the match against French Guiana.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK César Salandia (2004-06-13) 13 June 2004 5 0 Real Estelí
12 1GK Alyer López (1999-05-16) 16 May 1999 4 0 Managua
1GK Jason Vega (1995-11-06) 6 November 1995 3 0 Real Estelí
1GK Miguel Rodríguez (2003-06-13) 13 June 2003 13 0 SJK

2 2DF Josué Quijano (1991-03-10) 10 March 1991 99 3 Real Estelí
3 2DF Óscar Acevedo (1997-03-18) 18 March 1997 29 2 Real Estelí
5 2DF Justing Cano (2002-03-02) 2 March 2002 3 0 Diriangén
19 2DF Evert Martínez (2002-03-08) 8 March 2002 1 0 Real Estelí
21 2DF Christian Reyes (1998-01-03) 3 January 1998 12 0 AD Municipal Liberia
22 2DF Anyelo Velásquez (2004-12-22) 22 December 2004 1 0 Diriangén
2DF Juan Luis Pérez (1999-06-29) 29 June 1999 15 3 Diriangén
2DF Marvin Fletes (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 37 2 Real Estelí

4 3MF Henry Niño (1997-10-03) 3 October 1997 25 1 Real Estelí
8 3MF Jonathan Moncada (1998-01-03) 3 January 1998 16 0 Diriangén
11 3MF Juan Barrera (captain) (1989-05-02) 2 May 1989 93 26 Managua
14 3MF Jason Coronel (1993-10-06) 6 October 1993 32 0 Diriangén
16 3MF Junior Arteaga (1999-12-09) 9 December 1999 18 2 Diriangén
3MF Harold Medina (2002-01-30) 30 January 2002 27 3 Real Estelí
3MF Jacob Montes (1998-12-20) 20 December 1998 11 4 RWD Molenbeek
3MF Matías Moldskred Belli (1997-08-12) 12 August 1997 29 7 Sandnes Ulf

7 4FW Brayan López (1990-06-03) 3 June 1990 11 0 Puntarenas
9 4FW Jaime Moreno (1995-03-30) 30 March 1995 42 13 Barito Putera
10 4FW Byron Bonilla (1993-08-30) 30 August 1993 35 6 Real Estelí
13 4FW Ariel Arauz (2001-05-30) 30 May 2001 3 0 CS Herediano
18 4FW Bancy Hernández (2000-06-27) 27 June 2000 14 2 Real Estelí
20 4FW Widman Talavera (2003-01-12) 12 January 2003 15 3 Real Estelí
4FW Edgar Castillo (2002-05-21) 21 May 2002 1 0 Deportivo Llacuabamba
4FW Ronald Palacios (2002-09-09) 9 September 2002 1 0 Managua

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up

DF Pablo Rodríguez (2000-06-04) 4 June 2000 1 0 Managua v.  Belize, 8 June 2024
DF Melvin Hernández (1994-04-26) 26 April 1994 12 0 UNAN Managua v.  Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
DF Jeffrey Chávez (1997-02-10) 10 February 1997 1 0 Municipal Liberia v.  Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
DF Cristhiam Quinto (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 0 0 Managua v.  Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023

MF Nextaly Rodríguez (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 10 1 AD Municipal Liberia v.  Cuba, 10 September 2024
MF Kevin Serapio (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 28 1 Managua v.  Belize, 8 June 2024
MF Jeremy Cuarezma (2000-05-28) 28 May 2000 2 0 Managua v.  Montserrat, 6 June 2024

FW Luis Fernando Coronel (1997-02-25) 25 February 1997 18 3 Diriangén v.  Cuba, 10 September 2024
FW Abner Acuña (1997-03-05) 5 March 1997 11 0 Managua FC v.  Cuba, 10 September 2024
FW Anderson Treminio (1998-04-17) 17 April 1998 8 0 Real Santa Cruz v.  Cuba, 26 March 2024
FW Ariagner Smith (1998-12-13) 13 December 1998 20 7 FK Panevėžys v.  Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023

INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player retired from the national team.
SUS Player is serving suspension.
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.
INE Ineligible player.

Records

As of 9 October 2025[8]
Players in bold are still active with Nicaragua.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Josué Quijano 105 3 2011–present
2 Juan Barrera 99 26 2009–present
3 Manuel Rosas 60 2 2013–2022
4 David Solórzano 49 1 1999–2014
5 Jaime Moreno 48 14 2016–present
6 Carlos Chavarría 44 11 2013–2021
7 Byron Bonilla 42 7 2016–present
8 Marlon López 40 0 2014–2020
9 Luis Copete 39 3 2014–2023
Denis Espinoza 39 1 2004–2021

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Juan Barrera 26 99 0.26 2009–present
2 Jaime Moreno 14 48 0.29 2016–present
3 Emilio Palacios 11 26 0.42 2001–2009
Carlos Chavarría 11 44 0.25 2013–2021
5 Raúl Leguías 8 23 0.35 2011–2016
6 Ariagner Smith 7 25 0.28 2017–present
Matías Moldskred 7 34 0.21 2021–present
Byron Bonilla 7 42 0.17 2016–present
9 Luis Galeano 6 35 0.17 2015–2022
10 Jacob Montes 4 14 0.29 2023–present
Rudel Calero 4 26 0.15 2001–2011
Samuel Wilson 4 29 0.14 2001–2013

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

The Nicaragua national football team has never qualified for the World Cup. Their latest attempt was for the 2022 World Cup, when the side failed to advance from the first round.

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1934
1938
1950 Did not participate Declined participation
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 10
1998 2 0 0 2 1 3
2002 4 0 0 4 0 10
2006 2 0 1 1 3 6
2010 2 0 0 2 0 3
2014 4 2 0 2 5 7
2018 6 5 0 1 15 5
2022 3 2 0 1 10 1
2026 10 4 1 5 13 16
2030 To be determined To be determined
2034
Total 0/9 35 13 2 20 48 61

CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1963 Group stage 8th 4 0 0 4 2 15 Qualified automatically
1965 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 4
1967 Sixth place 6th 5 0 1 4 3 12 2 1 0 1 4 4
1969 Did not participate Did not participate
1971 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 4
1973 Did not participate Did not participate
1977
1981
1985
1989
1991 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 5
1993 2 0 0 2 0 8
1996 2 0 0 2 0 7
1998 2 0 0 2 2 11
2000 2 0 0 2 0 2
2002 3 0 0 3 2 19
2003 5 1 0 4 1 11
2005 3 1 0 2 2 9
2007 4 1 0 3 6 14
2009 Group stage 11th 3 0 0 3 0 8 Squad 4 1 2 1 5 6
2011 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 2 7
2013 3 0 1 2 2 5
2015 3 0 0 3 0 6
2017 Group stage 10th 3 0 0 3 1 7 Squad 7 2 1 4 9 9
2019 15th 3 0 0 3 0 8 Squad 4 3 0 1 9 2
2021 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 9 11
2023 Disqualified[6] 6 4 2 0 15 5
2025 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 5 7
Total Sixth place 5/21 18 0 1 17 6 50 74 19 9 46 79 154

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
League phase Final phase
Season Division Group Position Pld W D L GF GA P/R Finals Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019–20 B D 11th 6 2 1 3 9 11 2021 Ineligible
2022–23 B C Disqualified 2023
2023–24 B B 1st 6 5 1 0 17 1 2024
2024–25 A B 6th 4 2 1 1 5 5 2025 Did not qualify
Total 16 9 3 4 31 17 Total

Copa Centroamericana

Copa Centroamericana record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1991 Preliminary round 5th 2 0 0 2 2 5
1993 5th 2 0 0 2 0 8
1995 7th 2 0 0 2 0 7
1997 Round 1 6th 2 0 0 2 2 11
1999 5th 2 0 0 2 0 2
2001 7th 3 0 0 3 2 19
2003 Sixth place 6th 5 1 0 4 1 11
2005 Fifth place 5th 3 1 0 2 2 9
2007 Sixth place 6th 4 1 0 3 6 14
2009 Fifth place 5th 4 1 2 1 5 6
2011 Sixth place 6th 4 0 1 3 2 7
2013 Seventh place 7th 3 0 1 2 2 5
2014 Sixth place 6th 3 0 0 3 0 6
2017 Fifth place 5th 5 1 1 3 5 6
Total Fifth place 14/14 44 5 5 34 29 116

CCCF Championship

CCCF Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1941 Round-robin 5th 4 0 0 4 5 29
1943 Fourth place 4th 6 0 0 6 7 39
1946 Round-robin 6th 5 1 0 4 5 31
1948 Did not participate
1951 Third place 3rd 4 0 0 4 4 22
1953 Round-robin 6th 6 1 0 5 4 18
1955 Did not participate
1957
1960
1961 Round-robin 9th 3 0 0 3 3 18
Total Third place 6/6 28 2 0 26 28 157

Pan American Games

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1951 Did not participate
1955
1959
1963
1967
1971
1975 Preliminary round 13th 3 0 0 3 2 23
1979 Did not participate
1983
1987
1991 Preliminary round 8th 3 0 0 3 1 20
1995 Did not qualify
Since 1999 The youth teams participated
Total Preliminary round 2/3 6 0 0 6 3 43

Central American and Caribbean Games

Central American and Caribbean Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Did not qualify
1935
1938
1946
1950 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 4 19
1954 Did not qualify
1959
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 6
1986 Did not qualify
Since 1990 The youth teams participated
Total Group stage 2/14 6 0 1 5 6 25

Head-to-head record

As of 18 November 2025.[9]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

  1. ^ Includes matches against the Netherlands Antilles.

Honours

Subregional

See also

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 December 2025. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Nicaragua shocks Guatemala 2–0 to claim last berth in CONCACAF Gold Cup". CONCACAF. 29 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
  4. ^ "Nicaragua - List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Bermuda downs Nicaragua to earn first ever Gold Cup victory". New Jersey: Gold Cup. 24 June 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Concacaf Disciplinary Committee decision regarding Nicaragua and the Eligibility of Players" (Press release). CONCACAF. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  7. ^ @laazulyblanco; (3 October 2024). "𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔 𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟" – via Instagram.
  8. ^ Passo Alpuin, Luis Fernando. "Nicaragua – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  9. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings".