The Guatemalan U-20 National Team begins its participation in the Concacaf U-20 World Cup against Costa Rica, in Puebla, Mexico, with the aim of achieving their third qualification for a U-20 World Cup, after those achieved in Colombia 2011 and Argentina 2023. The tournament grants tickets for the 2027 World Cup event in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
The national team arrives at the competition after completing the final stage of preparation, under the direction of Argentine coach Sebastián Bini, who highlighted the growth of the group both in the football and human aspects during the last weeks of work.
“Personally, very good, very happy and excited about what’s to come and the group too, very good, very strong. We have just finished the preparation in Quetzaltenango and inspired to get the ticket to the World Cup”said the strategist.
Guatemala will make up a demanding group along with Costa Rica, Antigua and Barbuda and the host, Mexico. For Bini, the debut against the Costa Ricans will be decisive in setting the team’s course in the tournament. “We already know Costa Rica, it is a Central American classic. It is very important to get off to a good start. Antigua and Barbuda has improved a lot, they are a powerful and fast team; then there is Mexico, the host. They are three difficult games, but we are aware that we can achieve good results and advance to the next phase to fight for the ticket,” he pointed out.
The coach acknowledged that the final stage of forming the squad was marked by last-minute injuries, although he believes that the group arrives prepared to compete. “Situations always happen that get out of control. There were injured players that we didn’t expect, but the squad is already assembled. It helped us a lot to be together, to get to know each other a little better and now we all have the same mentality,” Indian.
Bini also highlighted the recent trajectory of Guatemala in the category, a team that has managed to consolidate itself in the Concacaf youth championships thanks to its World Cup qualifications. “The responsibility is always there because we are going to defend the colors of a nation. It is a category that has already been in two World Cups and we hope to do things well, be up to the task, compete in the best way and win the ticket”he stated.
One of the challenges of the coaching staff has been the limited participation of several teams in the National League, since a large part of those called up compete in special categories or in training processes inside and outside the country. “As a coach, you would like more kids to have minutes in the National League, but it is what it is. “We decided to become stronger in training, in the group’s unity, and with that expectation we go to the tournament,” he commented.
Regarding the debut against Costa Rica, Bini considers that a victory would represent a key boost in the emotional aspect for the rest of the competition. “The first game is always very important and this one has a special flavor because it is Costa Rica. We arrive strengthened and we hope that that day we will all be enlightened to win, add the three points and grow in confidence,” express.
On a personal level, the technician expressed his satisfaction with the process developed together with the group. “Happy to be in this place and to have found a group of talented players who have emotionally made us learn and grow a lot. We are very happy to represent Guatemala,” he concluded.
With the hope intact and the objective defined, Guatemala will begin its participation in the U-20 World Cup this Friday in search of writing a new page in its history and getting the ticket to compete, for the third time, in a U-20 World Cup.