The Golden Jaguars fell to their second defeat in as many matches on their two-week training camp in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, as they lost to Caixas FC 0-2 yesterday during a practice match.
According to a source close to the programme, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, both goals were conceded in the first half against Caixas, who plays in the second tier of the Rio de Janeiro state league.
Guyana’s starting XI comprised Kai McKenzie Lyle, Miguel Scarlett, Quincy Adams, Jalen Jones, Curtez Kellman, Liam Gordon, Elliot Bonds, Nathan Ferguson, Nathan Moriah-Welch, Ryan Hackett, and Deon Moore.
The Golden Jaguars went down to Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo 0-2 in their first match. Guyana is slated to contest two more practice matches on their tour, which forms part of the preparatory phase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
The team, which comprises 28 local and foreign-based players, is also slated to play friendlies against Copa Libertadores winner and National League champion Fluminense and Club America.
Guyana will open its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign away to Panama. They will then face off against Belize in Barbados on June 11th. Nicaragua and Montserrat are the other two teams in the group.
In their previous 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Guyana ended with a record of one win and three losses to finish in fourth place on three points. Guyana defeated the Bahamas 4-0 but suffered defeats against Trinidad and Tobago [0-3], St. Kitts and Nevis [0-3], and Puerto Rico [0-2].
The tour also serves as part of the team’s preparation for their debut campaign in League A of the CONCACAF Nations League. The Golden Jaguars were paired against Suriname, Guatemala, and Martinique.
The Golden Jaguars will resume their historic rivalry with neighbouring Suriname as they open their campaign against the Dutch-speaking nation in Group A on September 5th.
The Golden Jaguars will then face off with Martinique four days later. In their October encounters, Guyana faces off against Guatemala on the 11th before ending their group campaign against Suriname four days onward.
The top two finishers from the group, which also comprises Costa Rica and Guadeloupe, will advance to the quarterfinal section in November.
Guyana sealed their qualification to League A in the CONCACAF Nations League following a 5-0 record in Group D in League B.
The Guyanese defeated Antigua and Barbuda [5-1, 6-0], the Bahamas [3-2], and Puerto Rico [3-1, 3-1]. In the 2022–2023 edition of League B, Guyana ended up in second place with 10 points. In the inaugural 2019–2020 edition, Guyana finished in the runner-up spot in league B with nine points.
