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Why does Guatemala never have success on the world stage in soccer?
Posted on 6/13/26 at 4:58 pm
Posted on 6/13/26 at 4:58 pm
Seems all the other countries around there do, what gives with Guatemala?
This post was edited on 6/13/26 at 4:59 pm
11
Posted on 6/13/26 at 5:03 pm to Mushroom1968
quote:
Seems all the other countries around there do, what gives with Guatemala?
Eh, I'd say they're in the same tier as El Salvador and Nicaragua, which is a step below Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras
Posted on 6/13/26 at 5:05 pm to Mushroom1968
Futsal is popular there. Maybe that takes attention away from futbol.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 5:17 pm to Mushroom1968
They're still a tiny country with poor resources
Costa Rica's previous success for a country like that is is the exception, not the norm and now you see them back to the CONCACAF pack
Costa Rica's previous success for a country like that is is the exception, not the norm and now you see them back to the CONCACAF pack
Posted on 6/13/26 at 5:20 pm to Mushroom1968
They are a tiny people
Ive been to 2 US v Guatemala games
Im 6’3. I was at least a foot taller than every Guatemalan fan. I felt like Gulliver among the Lilliputians
Ive been to 2 US v Guatemala games
Im 6’3. I was at least a foot taller than every Guatemalan fan. I felt like Gulliver among the Lilliputians
Posted on 6/13/26 at 5:42 pm to metallica81788
quote:
Costa Rica's previous success for a country like that is is the exception
Helped having a world class keeper and high level midfielder in their prime together.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 5:48 pm to Mushroom1968
I have a friend in his early 60s whose parents came here from there. I remember him saying they were good when he was a kid.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 5:55 pm to Mushroom1968
The average Guatemalan is 5’1”.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 6:01 pm to LSUMJ
I can see that, my Guatemalan buddy is probably 5’5. Haven’t talked to him in awhile but he loves soccer 
Posted on 6/13/26 at 6:24 pm to LSUMJ
Funny story (to me at least).
In 2003 I was playing in a league in Virginia. One of our games was against a team of Guatemalans. I, only 5'7" ,was one of the shortest players on our team but taller than every single one on their team. Those dudes ran us like dogs all over the pitch that night. Was so damn funny watching these tiny blurs of humans constantly blowing by us. Beat us 3-2
In 2003 I was playing in a league in Virginia. One of our games was against a team of Guatemalans. I, only 5'7" ,was one of the shortest players on our team but taller than every single one on their team. Those dudes ran us like dogs all over the pitch that night. Was so damn funny watching these tiny blurs of humans constantly blowing by us. Beat us 3-2
Posted on 6/13/26 at 6:33 pm to Mushroom1968
I have a very good Guatemalan friend who is on track to be part of PRO on the next 2-4 years. He isn’t any taller than 5’6”.
Posted on 6/17/26 at 9:33 pm to Mushroom1968
Do they even have a legit "real" pro league there??
Posted on 6/17/26 at 10:37 pm to Mushroom1968
None of the central American countries are any good.
Every once in a while you might get one decent one that makes the world cup.
Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama. None of these are known as soccer powerhouses.
The team in our region really is Mexico. It's embarrassing for a country their size and with the love of soccer to not be more of a force.
Every once in a while you might get one decent one that makes the world cup.
Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama. None of these are known as soccer powerhouses.
The team in our region really is Mexico. It's embarrassing for a country their size and with the love of soccer to not be more of a force.
Posted on 6/18/26 at 7:24 am to Mushroom1968
About 40% of the country doesn't speak Spanish at home, but rather a Mayan language. And indigenous Mayans are short—very short.
Mexico is much more "Spanish" (and also a much, much larger country). Costa Rica's genetics are over 90% European. Panama's genetics are a mix of Spanish and African.
Mexico is much more "Spanish" (and also a much, much larger country). Costa Rica's genetics are over 90% European. Panama's genetics are a mix of Spanish and African.
Posted on 6/18/26 at 9:02 am to GOP_Tiger
Resources and Genetics is the answer. They have excellent futbol culture and some really technical players.
The unfortunate reality is most of these countries are very poor compared to the top soccer nations so their youth can't get scouted into European or American leagues unless scouts travel to Guatemala. Also genetically it has been stated above they are all short. Helps with technical ability, but on the international stage you have giants from other countries who are very technical.
I am begging all of you to watch Norway during a corner kick. They have like 4 guys who are 6'5 and up.
The unfortunate reality is most of these countries are very poor compared to the top soccer nations so their youth can't get scouted into European or American leagues unless scouts travel to Guatemala. Also genetically it has been stated above they are all short. Helps with technical ability, but on the international stage you have giants from other countries who are very technical.
I am begging all of you to watch Norway during a corner kick. They have like 4 guys who are 6'5 and up.
This post was edited on 6/18/26 at 9:03 am
Posted on 6/18/26 at 9:07 am to joshyc2
Also Central American and Caribbean countries have historically done below average at major tournaments other than Costa Rica. They are clearly the cream of the crop.
Honduras in 2001 got 3rd at Copa America
Costa Rica got 2nd in the 2002 Gold Cup and made the semis a few times.
Costa Rice also has the best WC run making it to the QFs in 2014. Took Netherlands to penalties. That was a wild run.
El Salvador has qualified twice for the WC.
Honduras has qualified three times. Tied Spain in 1982 WC.
Will also S/O Jamaica in our region since they made the Gold Cup Final twice in 2015 and 2017. 2015 gives me nightmares for them beating the USA.
Honduras in 2001 got 3rd at Copa America
Costa Rica got 2nd in the 2002 Gold Cup and made the semis a few times.
Costa Rice also has the best WC run making it to the QFs in 2014. Took Netherlands to penalties. That was a wild run.
El Salvador has qualified twice for the WC.
Honduras has qualified three times. Tied Spain in 1982 WC.
Will also S/O Jamaica in our region since they made the Gold Cup Final twice in 2015 and 2017. 2015 gives me nightmares for them beating the USA.
This post was edited on 6/18/26 at 9:09 am
Posted on 6/18/26 at 9:51 am to joshyc2
quote:
The unfortunate reality is most of these countries are very poor compared to the top soccer nations
THIS a bunch of factors, but lack of resources has to be one of the most important.
Countries that are powerhouses have strong development infrastructure in place to produce talent.
If you were an elite soccer coach would you want to relocate there?
Posted on 6/18/26 at 11:17 am to Mushroom1968
What they said above.
Nicaraguans are into baseball as much as soccer, if not more.
The Honduran team is that "this year's our year, bro" team where they almost make the WC but don't.
Otherwise, Panama and Costa Rica seem to be the teams that make the WC the most in Central America.
Nicaraguans are into baseball as much as soccer, if not more.
The Honduran team is that "this year's our year, bro" team where they almost make the WC but don't.
Otherwise, Panama and Costa Rica seem to be the teams that make the WC the most in Central America.
Posted on 6/18/26 at 11:29 am to Mushroom1968
Appreciate all the replies
Posted on 6/18/26 at 1:23 pm to joshyc2
quote:
The unfortunate reality is most of these countries are very poor compared to the top soccer nations so their youth can't get scouted into European or American leagues unless scouts travel to Guatemala.
Interesting thought, wonder why we don't see more dual nationals come up through the US that play for them? If I had to guess the concentrations of them are in the South, so not a lot of access to high level soccer, whereas concentrations of Mexicans are in California, Chicago, and other major cities so that is why they get noticed at a higher rate.
Rubio Rubin is an example of a guy who had a lot of promise with the USYNT but never panned out so chose to play for Guatemala.
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