Costa Rica and Honduras meet in a decisive Group C clash on Wednesday, with only one team in the group guaranteed a direct route to the next phase of World Cup qualifying.
Both teams dropped points in their previous games, meaning everything is now on the line in what promises to be a tense showdown, as a win for Haiti against Nicaragua could also see both teams miss out on the automatic ticket.
Check out our Costa Rica vs Honduras predictions below. After that, also check out our other football predictions for today.
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Costa Rica vs Honduras prediction: Los Ticos to edge a must-win clash
Key statistics
- Costa Rica are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Honduras (3W, 6D).
- Costa Rica have scored seven goals in two home qualifiers in this campaign.
- Honduras have failed to score in their last two away qualifiers.
Correct score prediction: Costa Rica 2-1 Honduras
Costa Rica have not been convincing overall, but they tend to rise at home, especially in big fixtures. Honduras arrive with shaky away form and several key absentees, which could tilt a tight game toward the hosts.
Pre-game odds & implied win probabilities: Odds leaning towards Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: 3/4 (1.75) – 57.1%
- Draw: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- Honduras: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The market leans toward Costa Rica, largely due to home advantage and Honduras’ poor performances on the road. A draw remains a realistic outcome, but Honduras are clear underdogs here.
Most recent H2Hs: Costa Rica dominant in this fixture
Costa Rica have controlled this matchup for more than a decade, going unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Honduras.
Their last two home games against Los Catrachos have also ended in victory.
North & Central America - World Cup Qualifying 10/10/25
Honduras
Costa Rica
CONCACAF Nations League 23/03/24
Costa Rica
Honduras
Central America - World Cup Qualifying 17/11/21
Costa Rica
Honduras
Central America - World Cup Qualifying 08/10/21
Honduras
Costa Rica
CONCACAF Nations League 06/06/21
Honduras
Costa Rica
Costa Rica preview: Herrera relies on home strength
Costa Rica’s 1-0 defeat in Haiti was a major setback, especially after controlling long spells of the match, and this has left Los Ticos frustrated and slipping down to third place with only one match remaining.
Miguel Herrera’s side have drawn too many games in this round, but their home form offers some hope. They have won comfortably in San Jose, scoring freely in both home outings, a 3-3 draw with Haiti and a 4-1 victory over Nicaragua.
Kenneth Vargas should lead the line again, supported by Martínez and the energetic wide runners.
Keylor Navas remains the leader in goal, aiming for a fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Predicted lineup: Navas (GK), Quiros, Waston, J. Vargas, Gamboa, Calvo, Borges, Murrillo, Martinez, Alcocer & K. Vargas
Costa Rica’s last five matches
- 14.11.25 – Haiti 1-0 Costa Rica
- 14.10.25 – Costa Rica 4-1 Nicaragua
- 10.10.25 – Honduras 0-0 Costa Rica
- 10.09.25 – Costa Rica 3-3 Haiti
- 06.09.25 – Nicaragua 1-1 Costa Rica
Honduras preview: Visitors hoping to halt poor run against Costa Rica
Honduras also arrive under pressure after a surprising 2-0 defeat in Nicaragua. That loss ended a four-match unbeaten run and exposed the team’s inconsistencies away from home.
Even a win may not be enough for Honduras depending on Haiti’s result, while Costa Rica must win and hope Haiti drop points.
Honduras travel with several injury issues, as Denil Maldonado, Edwin Rodriguez, Alexander Lopez and Jose Julian Martinez Crisanto remain sidelined.
Rommel Quioto – who has two goals in this phase – may return to a central striking role after being deployed wide in the previous game.
Reinaldo Rueda’s men have defended well earlier in the campaign but have struggled badly away from home, failing to score in either of their road fixtures.
Predicted lineup: Menjivar (GK), Najar, Montes, Vega, Rosales, Arriaga, O. Vega, D. Flores, Palma, Quioto & Benguche
Honduras’ last five matches
- 14.11.25 – Nicaragua 2-0 Honduras
- 14.10.25 – Honduras 3-0 Haiti
- 10.10.25 – Honduras 0-0 Costa Rica
- 10.09.25 – Honduras 2-0 Nicaragua
- 06.09.25 – Haiti 0-0 Honduras
Player to Watch: Alonso Martinez
Alonso Martinez continues to be Costa Rica’s most dangerous player in this campaign, scoring three goals so far and providing constant penetration from midfield.
The NYCFC attacker has constantly created danger between the lines, and if Los Ticos are to secure the crucial win they need, Martinez will be central to their attacking output.