Nicaragua national football team

Summary

The Nicaragua national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Nicaragua) represents Nicaragua in men's international football and is controlled by the Nicaraguan Football Federation. Nicaragua achieved their first qualification into a major international competition in 2009, as they qualified for the 2009 Gold Cup as the last entrant from Central America, after a 2–0 victory against Guatemala in the fifth place match in the 2009 Nations Cup.[3] However, the team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

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 coachMarco Antonio Figueroa
CaptainJuan Barrera
Most capsJosué Quijano (92)
Top scorerJuan Barrera (24)
Home stadiumEstadio Nacional de Fútbol
FIFA codeNCA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 135 Decrease 1 (4 April 2024)[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)
Medal record

Due to American influence throughout the country's history, baseball has more of a following as both a pursuit and spectator event in Nicaragua than football.

History edit

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 edit

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 edit

Kit sponsorship edit

Kit supplier Period
  Joma 2004–2021
  Keuka 2022–present

Results and fixtures edit

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

2023 edit

10 June Friendly Panama   3–2   Nicaragua Penonomé, Panama
19:00 UTC−5
  • Murillo   55', 81'
  • Miller   84'
Report
  • Talavera   44'
  • Acevedo   62'
Stadium: Estadio Universitario F.C.
Referee: David Gómez (Costa Rica)
14 June Friendly Uruguay   4–1   Nicaragua Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3
Report
  • Coronel   90+2'
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Referee: Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães (Brazil)
18 June Friendly Paraguay   2–0   Nicaragua Asunción, Paraguay
10:30 UTC−4
Report Stadium: Estadio Defensores del Chaco
Referee: Gustavo Tejeda (Uruguay)
8 September 2023–24 Nations League Dominican Republic   0–2   Nicaragua Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
19:00 UTC−4 Report
  • Acevedo   38', 41'
Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez
Referee: Patrick Senecharles (Haiti)
11 September 2023–24 Nations League Nicaragua   5–1   Barbados Managua, Nicaragua
20:00 UTC−6
Report
Stadium: Estadio Nacional de Fútbol
Referee: Bryan López (Guatemala)
13 October 2023–24 Nations League Montserrat   0–3   Nicaragua Wildey, Barbados
15:00 UTC−4 Report
Stadium: Wildey Turf
Referee: Jorge Leira (Panama)
16 October 2023–24 Nations League Nicaragua   3–0   Montserrat Managua, Nicaragua
20:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Estadio Nacional de Fútbol
Referee: José Valladares (Honduras)
17 November 2023–24 Nations League Barbados   0–4   Nicaragua Wildey, Barbados
17:00 UTC−4 Report
  • Arteaga   22' (pen.)
  • N. Rodríguez   43'
  • L. Coronel   55'
  • Montes   59'
Stadium: Wildey Turf
Referee: Kwinsi Williams (Trinidad and Tobago)
21 November 2023–24 Nations League Nicaragua   0–0   Dominican Republic Managua, Nicaragua
20:00 UTC−6 Report Stadium: Estadio Nacional de Fútbol
Referee: Ignacio Fuentes (Guatemala)

2024 edit

22 March Friendly Peru   2–0   Nicaragua Lima, Peru
20:30 UTC−5
Report Stadium: Estadio Alejandro Villanueva
Referee: Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva (Brazil)
26 March Friendly Nicaragua   0–1   Cuba Managua, Nicaragua
19:00 UTC−6 Report
Stadium: Nicaragua National Football Stadium
26 May Friendly Guatemala   v   Nicaragua San Jose, United States
17:00 UTC−7 Stadium: PayPal Park
8 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Belize   v   Nicaragua Belize
TBD

2025 edit

6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Nicaragua   v   Guyana Nicaragua
TBD
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Panama   v   Nicaragua Panama
TBD

Coaching staff edit

Position Name
Head coach   Marco Antonio Figueroa
Technical director   Roger Rodriguez
Assistant coach   Tyron Acevedo
Goalkeeping coach   Carlos Mendieta
Physical coordinator   Jaime Ruiz
Doctor   Dr. Cupertino Borrell
Physiotherapist   Zamir Cerna
Team coordinator   Cesar Castro Trinidad
Team coordinator   Nestor Díaz

Coaching history edit

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up to the squad for friendly match against Peru on 22 March 2024.[7]

Caps and goals correct as of 18 June 2023, after the match against Paraguay.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Miguel Rodríguez (2003-06-13) 13 June 2003 (age 20) 4 0   SJK
1GK César Salandia (2004-06-13) 13 June 2004 (age 19) 1 0   Real Estelí

2DF Marvin Fletes (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 26) 22 1   Real Estelí
2DF Óscar Acevedo (1997-03-18) 18 March 1997 (age 27) 15 1   Real Estelí
2DF Juan Luis Pérez (1999-06-29) 29 June 1999 (age 24) 1 0   Alajuelense
2DF Justing Cano (2002-03-02) 2 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0   Diriangén
2DF Evert Martínez (2002-03-08) 8 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0   Real Estelí

3MF Juan Barrera (captain) (1989-05-02) 2 May 1989 (age 34) 79 24   Managua
3MF Jason Coronel (1993-10-06) 6 October 1993 (age 30) 21 0   Diriangén
3MF Matías Moldskred Belli (1997-08-12) 12 August 1997 (age 26) 17 5   Sandnes Ulf
3MF Henry Niño (1997-10-03) 3 October 1997 (age 26) 16 1   Real Estelí
3MF Harold Medina (2002-01-30) 30 January 2002 (age 22) 13 0   Real Estelí
3MF Jonathan Moncada (1998-01-03) 3 January 1998 (age 26) 13 0   Diriangén
3MF Junior Arteaga (1999-12-09) 9 December 1999 (age 24) 6 0   Diriangén
3MF Jeremy Cuarezma (2000-05-28) 28 May 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Managua

4FW Bancy Hernández (2000-06-27) 27 June 2000 (age 23) 9 0   Real Estelí
4FW Brayan López (1990-06-03) 3 June 1990 (age 33) 9 0   Puntarenas
4FW Luis Fernando Coronel (1997-02-25) 25 February 1997 (age 27) 7 1   Diriangén
4FW Abner Acuña (1997-03-05) 5 March 1997 (age 27) 7 0   UNAN Managua
4FW Widman Talavera (2003-01-12) 12 January 2003 (age 21) 6 1   Real Estelí
4FW Anderson Treminio (1997-04-17) 17 April 1997 (age 27) 5 0   Real Santa Cruz

Recent call-ups edit

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
GK Alyer López (1999-05-16) 16 May 1999 (age 24) 4 0   Managua v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
GK Brandon Mayorga (1998-01-06) 6 January 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Managua v.   Montserrat, 16 October 2023
GK Denver Fox (1997-11-22) 22 November 1997 (age 26) 3 0   Real Sociedad v.   Dominican Republic, 8 September 2023
GK Douglas Forvis (1992-05-17) 17 May 1992 (age 31) 8 0   Real Estelí v.   Guatemala, 19 November 2022

DF Josué Quijano (1991-03-10) 10 March 1991 (age 33) 87 3   Real Estelí v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
DF Melvin Hernández (1994-04-26) 26 April 1994 (age 30) 11 0   UNAN Managua v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
DF Jeffrey Chávez (1997-02-10) 10 February 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Municipal Liberia v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
DF Anyelo Velásquez (2004-12-22) 22 December 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Diriangén v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
DF Cristhiam Quinto (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 (age 23) 0 0   Managua v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
DF Francisco Vallecillo (2002-10-20) 20 October 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Real Estelí v.   Montserrat, 16 October 2023
DF Erick Téllez (1989-11-28) 28 November 1989 (age 34) 33 0   Diriangén v.   Barbados, 11 September 2023
DF Christian Reyes (1998-01-03) 3 January 1998 (age 26) 10 0   Pérez Zeledón v.   Dominican Republic, 8 September 2023
DF Francisco Flores (1988-04-02) 2 April 1988 (age 36) 26 1   Diriangén v.   Paraguay, 18 June 2023
DF Luis Copete (1989-02-12) 12 February 1989 (age 35) 39 3   Diriangén v.   Trinidad and Tobago, 27 March 2023
DF Mario Dávila (1997-11-07) 7 November 1997 (age 26) 3 0   Diriangén v.   Guatemala, 19 November 2022
DF Joel Obando (2000-11-20) 20 November 2000 (age 23) 1 0   Real Estelí v.   Guatemala, 19 November 2022
DF Cristian Gutiérrez (1993-01-06) 6 January 1993 (age 31) 20 1   Real Estelí v.   Iran, 10 November 2022

MF Jason Coronel (1993-10-06) 6 October 1993 (age 30) 26 0   Diriangén v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
MF Jacob Montes (1998-12-20) 20 December 1998 (age 25) 2 0   Botafogo v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
MF Nextaly Rodríguez (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0   Herediano v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
MF Kevin Serapio (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 (age 28) 25 1   Managua v.   Paraguay, 18 June 2023
MF Agenor Báez (1997-12-18) 18 December 1997 (age 26) 4 0   Managua v.   Trinidad and Tobago, 27 March 2023
MF Marlon López (1992-11-02) 2 November 1992 (age 31) 40 0   Real Estelí v.   El Salvador, 17 November 2022
MF Waldner Vásquez (2002-03-20) 20 March 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Managua v.   El Salvador, 17 November 2022
MF Ismael Mendieta (2001-02-20) 20 February 2001 (age 23) 0 0   Walter Ferretti v.   El Salvador, 17 November 2022
MF Luis Galeano (1991-10-15) 15 October 1991 (age 32) 35 6   Sport Sébaco v.   Iran, 10 November 2022
MF Nahúm Peralta (1994-10-21) 21 October 1994 (age 29) 5 0   Managua v.   Iran, 10 November 2022

FW Jaime Moreno (1995-03-30) 30 March 1995 (age 29) 31 8   SJK v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
FW Ariagner Smith (1998-12-13) 13 December 1998 (age 25) 15 6   FK Panevėžys v.   Dominican Republic, 21 November 2023
FW Byron Bonilla (1993-08-30) 30 August 1993 (age 30) 32 6   Real Estelí v.   Barbados, 11 September 2023
FW Henry García (1991-08-03) 3 August 1991 (age 32) 22 0   Real Estelí v.   Guatemala, 19 November 2022
FW Adrián Chavarría (1997-08-31) 31 August 1997 (age 26) 0 0   Juventus v.   El Salvador, 17 November 2022
FW Cristian Flores (1996-08-27) 27 August 1996 (age 27) 1 1   Real Estelí v.   Iran, 10 November 2022
FW Keylon Batiz (2004-02-01) 1 February 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Real Estelí v.   Qatar, 13 October 2022

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 edit

As of 22 March 2024[8]
Players in bold are still active with Nicaragua.

Most appearances edit

 
Josué Quijano is Nicaragua's most-capped player with 92 international appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Josué Quijano 92 3 2011–present
2 Juan Barrera 85 24 2009–present
3 Manuel Rosas 60 2 2013–2022
4 David Solórzano 49 1 1999–2014
5 Carlos Chavarría 44 11 2013–present
6 Marlon López 40 0 2014–2020
7 Luis Copete 39 3 2014–2023
Denis Espinoza 39 1 2004–2021
9 Carlos Alonso 37 0 1999–2011
10 Jaime Moreno 36 10 2016–present

Top goalscorers edit

 
Juan Barrera is Nicaragua's all-time top scorer with 24 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Juan Barrera 24 85 0.28 2009–present
2 Emilio Palacios 11 26 0.42 2001–2009
Carlos Chavarría 11 44 0.25 2013–present
4 Jaime Moreno 10 36 0.28 2016–present
5 Raúl Leguías 8 23 0.35 2011–2016
6 Ariagner Smith 7 18 0.39 2017–present
7 Byron Bonilla 6 33 0.18 2016–present
Luis Galeano 6 35 0.17 2015–present
9 Matías Moldskred 7 22 0.32 2021–present
10 Rudel Calero 4 26 0.15 2001–2011
Samuel Wilson 4 29 0.14 2001–2013

Competitive record edit

FIFA World Cup edit

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 enter 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 To be determined To be determined
      2030
  2034
Total 0/19 25 9 1 15 35 45

CONCACAF Gold Cup edit

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 Squad Qualified automatically
  1965 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 4
  1967 Sixth place 6th 5 0 1 4 3 12 Squad 2 1 0 1 4 4
  1969 Did not enter Did not enter
  1971 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 4
  1973 Did not enter Did not enter
  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 Group stage 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[9] 6 4 2 0 15 5
Total Sixth place 5/27 18 0 1 17 6 50 68 17 8 43 74 149

CONCACAF Nations League edit

CONCACAF Nations League record
League Finals
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R Finals Result Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019–20 B D 6 2 1 3 9 11     2021 Did not qualify
2022–23 B C 6 4 2 0 15 5     2023
2023–24 B B 6 5 1 0 17 1     2024
2024–25 A To be determined   2025 To be determined
Total 18 11 4 3 41 17 Total 0 Titles

Copa Centroamericana edit

Copa Centroamericana record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1991 Preliminary round 5th 2 0 0 2 2 5
  1993 Preliminary round 5th 2 0 0 2 0 8
  1995 Preliminary round 7th 2 0 0 2 0 7
  1997 First round 6th 2 0 0 2 2 11
  1999 First round 5th 2 0 0 2 0 2
  2001 First round 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 edit

CCCF Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1941 Fifth place 5th 4 0 0 4 5 29
  1943 Fourth place 4th 6 0 0 6 7 39
  1946 Sixth place 6th 5 1 0 4 5 31
  1948 Did not enter
  1951 Third place 3rd 4 0 0 4 4 22
  1953 Sixth place 6th 6 1 0 5 4 18
  1955 Did not enter
  1957
  1960
  1961 Ninth place 9th 3 0 0 3 3 18
Total Third place 6/10 28 2 0 26 28 157

Pan American Games edit

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1951 Did not enter
  1955
  1959
  1963
  1967
  1971
  1975 Preliminary round 13th 3 0 0 3 2 23
  1979 Did not enter
  1983
  1987
  1991 Preliminary round 8th 3 0 0 3 1 20
  1995 Did not qualify
  1999
  2003
  2007
  2011
  2015
  2019
  2023
Total Preliminary round 2/19 6 0 0 6 3 43

Central American and Caribbean Games edit

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
  1990
  1993
  1998 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 0 3 3 13
  2002 Quarter-finals 8th 3 1 0 2 2 7
  2006 Did not qualify
  2010
  2014
  2018
Total Quarter-finals 4/22 13 2 1 10 11 45

Central American Games edit

Central American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1973 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 4 3
  1977 Third place 3rd 6 2 0 4 6 23
  1986 Third place 3rd 3 0 2 1 1 5
  1990 Third place 3rd 4 0 0 4 1 11
  1994 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 0 17
  1997 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 3 8
  2001 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 5 8
  2006 Not held
  2010
  2013 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 1 9
  2017 Third place 3rd 4 1 2 1 2 1
Total Runners-up 9/11 31 6 5 20 23 85

Head-to-head record edit

As of 26 March 2024 after the match against   Cuba.[10]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

  1. ^ Includes matches against   Netherlands Antilles.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  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. ^ "Concacaf Disciplinary Committee decision regarding Nicaragua and the Eligibility of Players" (Press release). CONCACAF. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Convocatoria Oficial" (in Spanish). Nicaraguan Football Federation. 13 March 2024 – via Facebook.
  8. ^ Passo Alpuin, Luis Fernando. "Nicaragua – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Concacaf Disciplinary Committee decision regarding Nicaragua and the Eligibility of Players" (Press release). CONCACAF. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  10. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Nicaragua".

External links edit

  • Official website (in Spanish)
  • Nicaragua FIFA profile
  • Nicaragua – List of International Matches at RSSSF