The September/October 2026 international window has concluded, and for the USMNT, the window felt like a breath of fresh air after the World Cup elimination at the hands of Belgium this summer. In early CONCACAF Nations League action, the quarterfinals were set, while Rafa Marquez began his time in charge of Mexico.
The USMNT’s Young Generation Announces Itself
The CONCACAF team of the window was the United States Men’s National Team, as the USMNT completed a perfect 4-0-0 run, all on home soil. The opening match against Peru saw goals from Justin Ellis, Malik Tillman, teenager Julian Hall, and Sebastian Berhalter as the USMNT had 70% possession and dominated proceedings.
Against Chile, Hall and Berhalter scored again, quickly becoming two of the most popular “fresh faces” on Mauricio Pochettino’s young team, while Mathis Albert added a late goal and the match ended 4-2.
The crowning achievement was a dominant 3-0 win over Mexico, against both El Tri and a hostile crowd, as Hall, fellow teenager Cavan Sullivan, and Tillman were the goalscorers. The USMNT showcased their athleticism and free-flowing football, while Mexico’s Mateo Chavez lost his cool and got red carded in the second half. Mexico struggled to convert any of their chances on goal, and no matter the weight of the match, it’s never pleasant for Mexico to suffer a defeat at the hands of the United States.
The U.S. completed CONCACAF supremacy and staked their claim as one of the favorites for the Nations League with a 1-0 win over Canada to close the window, with Ellis the lone goalscorer.
It feels like the future is arriving quickly for the USMNT, as they showcased both offensive ability and the ability to grind defensively. Diego Kochen looked good in goal, and having so many young attacking options, including Sullivan, Hall, Albert, and Ellis, gives Pochettino a range of options for the next Gold Cup and knockout matches in the Nations League.
Canada Notches Two Quality Wins vs Chile and Peru
Canada’s window was a success, though the defeat against the United States in the third match of the window will sting. Canada were 1-0 winners against Chile, with Jonathan David the lone goalscorer, but they were frustrated by their performance, as Chile spent much of the match with 10, and then nine, men on the field due to violent conduct by their players. Rather than dominating the game, Canada looked tepid on the ball at times and couldn’t finish, generating an xG of 2.47 but only winning 1-0 against a Chilean side that is frankly lacking in talent.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored a brace as Canada kept their clean sheet record, winning 2-0 against Peru. At this point in time, Canada should be winning in favorable conditions against Peru, but the fact they didn’t show serious signs of stress was positive for a team that lost to Morocco in the last World Cup.
Rafa Marquez Can’t Get El Tri Firing in Fall Friendlies
Mexico had a disjointed window as Rafa Marquez began his time in charge. The team struggled to find consistency across its matches, and the 3-0 defeat to the United States will certainly be the result that draws the most attention.
The window began with a boring 1-1 draw against Colombia, where Mexico outplayed their rivals but couldn’t overcome conceding early, despite a second half goal from the talented Gilberto Mora.
The results got worse from there, It was 1-1 against Peru in game 2, as Victor Guzman had to lead an El Tri fightback in a game where they should have pushed for more. Then it was the 3-0 shellacking at the hands of the United States, and a 2-0 defeat to Chile where El Tri conceded second half goals despite having over 60% of the ball.
On a night when national team legend Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa was honored, 23-year-old Alex Padilla was rated 5.9 as goalkeeper.
The biggest warning sign for Marquez, Mexico’s poor play in the striker role. Hormiga Gonzalez (Olympiacos), German Berterame (Inter Miami), and Santiago Gimenez (FC Porto) rotated in the role and only produced a laugh track for the Mexican media. Hirving Lozano’s return to the national team under Marquez was a non-factor, and he wasn’t fit. Mexico still has good players, but they truly looked hungover from the World Cup this international window.
With Jamaica now waiting in the Nations League quarterfinals, Mexico will need to put the uneven nature of this window behind them and focus on finding some stability when the competitive matches return in November.
CONCACAF Nations League Quarterfinals Are Set
The CONCACAF Nations League Quarterfinals for 2026/27 are as follows:
Panama vs Curacao
Canada vs Guatemala
United States vs Haiti
Mexico vs Jamaica
World Cup participants Curacao continue to showcase their talent, with a comeback 4-3 win over Costa Rica the highlight of their window. The result at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa led to the sacking of Costa Rica manager Fernando Batista.
The Ticos showed defensive fragility after Carlos Mora had scored a brace and put them up 3-0 at home. Kenji Gorre scored twice, Tahith Chong and Jordi Paulina added more goals against Saprissa goalkeeper Abraham Madriz, and Curacao showed they are now the CONCACAF dark horse that Costa Rica once was. Costa Rica salvaged their standing with wins over Nicaragua, and a split result with Haiti, with one win and one loss, but the Ticos continue to show that their current talent pool is limited. Since missing the 2026 World Cup, Costa Rica is 2-1-5.
Panama’s post-World Cup window in Asia saw a disappointing draw against India, and two split results on penalty kicks. They lost to New Zealand on kicks after a 1-1 draw, and then beat Ecuador in the same format, after another 1-1 draw. Panama can defend bravely, but they continue to lack in the offensive department, which means Curacao has a chance.
Guatemala’s win over Suriname, with a 96th-minute goal from Matthew Evans, was crucial this window. They also put six goals past their neighbors El Salvador in a Central American clash. Luis Fernando Tena’s men will still be an underdog against Canada.
Haiti scored a huge rivalry win over the Dominican Republic, as Haitian supporters packed into the 20,000 seat stadium in the DR to witness a 4-1 win. After a respectable World Cup, the Haitian team continued to excel in CONCACAF competition with wins over Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic this window. Their run did end with a loss to Costa Rica in the return fixture, but the United States can’t take the quarterfinal matchup lightly.
Read More: CONCACAF World Cup Report Card: Grading All Six 2026 Participants
Mexico will face the power of a renewed Jamaica, who did enough this window with wins over Guatemala and El Salvador, and a draw against Honduras to advance. Javon East had a pair of goals this window, while Miguel Freckleton was the highest-rated player for Jamaica. The result will feel bitter for Honduras, a side with enough international talent, like Lech Poznań’s Luis Palma, to feel they should be one of CONCACAF’s top teams, rather than continuing to be on the fringes of continental relevance.
Extra Time Notes
The September/October window gave CONCACAF teams plenty to think about ahead of the Nations League quarterfinals. The United States (USMNT) emerged with tons of confidence thanks to its young generation, while Canada, Jamaica, Guatemala, Haiti, and Curacao all gave themselves reasons to believe they can make noise when competitive action returns.
For some of the region’s traditional powers, the window raised more questions than answers. Costa Rica’s struggles continued, Honduras missed an opportunity to advance, and Mexico will have to regroup quickly under Marquez before facing Jamaica in the Nations League quarterfinals.
More International Football Coverage
Argentina Says Goodbye to Lionel Messi With Tears and Fireworks
Michael Olise France Form Remains Very Crucial for the Team
Main Photo Credit: Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
