Hosts Bermuda will play their third group game of their CONCACAF World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign on Thursday against the Cayman Islands at Dame Flora Duffy National Sports Centre.

The home side are last in their five-team group with one point following their 6-1 loss against Honduras on June 10 last year, while their opponents forfeited their match against Cuba in June 2024 – with their opponents being awarded a 3-0 win - and are third with three points after two games.

Match preview

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Bermuda went into the half-time interval against Honduras on level terms having equalised in stoppage time, but they produced no shots in the second 45 while facing 16 attempts and three big chances, conceding five goals.

Head coach Michael Findlay has the unenviable task of trying to get his side to the 2026 World Cup for the first time in the nation's history, but a loss against the Cayman Islands could see their chances of progression to the next round of qualification quashed.

The Gombey Warriors have been conceding too many goals in the last weeks, picking the ball out from their own net 13 times in their past three matches.

Bermuda lost each of those three games – scoring four – but they did win their previous four outings.

Findlay's side have only won one of their eight most recent World Cup qualifying fixtures, losing four and drawing three in that period, and they have also lost two of their last three home qualifying games while winning just once.

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Opponents Cayman Islands withdrew from the clash against Cuba over fears that US travel restrictions imposed on Cuba would pose a potential risk for their players, many of whom were either at college in the United States or were training there.

Thursday's visitors are level on points with second-placed Cuba, but with just two matches remaining in the group stage and only the top two advancing to the third round of qualifying, the decision to forfeit could have significant consequences for their World Cup hopes.

Boss Claudio Garcia will be concerned that his side have conceded three or more goals in five of their past 10 fixtures, while also failing to score in four of those matches.

Cayman Islands come into their clash against Bermuda having lost two consecutive games, and they have been defeated in seven of their past 12 away outings, emerging triumphant just once.

It should be noted that the nation have only participated in 22 World Cup qualifying matches in their history, with the team experiencing one victory while suffering defeat 15 times.

Team News

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Bermuda goalkeeper Dale Eve could be stationed behind a back four consisting of J'Nai Butterfield-Steede, Kieron Richardson, Julian Carpenter and Reese Jones.

Midfielders Willie Clemons and Keziah Martin may be trusted to protect the defence, while attacking midfielder Ne-Jai Tucker could support striker Enrique Russell.

As for the Cayman Islands, expect centre-forwards Gunnar Studenthofft and Elijah Seymour to play ahead of a double pivot featuring Sebastian Martinez and Jordan Bonilla.

In defence, Garcia could start Jabari Campbell, D'Andre Rowe, Cameron Gray and Jah Dain Alexander ahead of shot-stopper Lachlin Lambert.

Bermuda possible starting lineup:
Eve; Butterfield-Steede, Richardson, Carpenter, Jones; Clemons, Martin; Hall, Tucker, Parfitt-Williams; Russell

Cayman Islands possible starting lineup:
Lambert; Campbell, Rowe, Gray, Alexander; Reeves, Martinez, Bonilla, Duval; Studenthofft, Seymour

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We say: Bermuda 2-2 Cayman Islands

The two nations are in poor form and have found wins difficult to come by, so both should be confident of creating chances.

While Bermuda's recent record at home has been subpar, Cayman Islands have also experienced difficulties on the road, and it would not be surprising if the sides settled for a point.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Lewis Nolan

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