World Cup 2006: Concacaf's Historic Slump As Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, USA Manage Just One Combined Victory

By Steven Torres - ANCCIF President   (Posted on  15 June 2026)

Germany hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup for the second time under the welcoming motto “A Time to Make Friends.” However, the tournament proved entirely unfriendly to North, Central American, and Caribbean nations. Despite a historic milestone—the first time four Concacaf countries qualified for a single World Cup—Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, and USA all cratered in the group stage. Together, they managed a meager single victory across 12 total group matches, leaving Mexico as the solitary representative to advance to the ‘Round of 16.’

Group A: Costa Rica’s Defensive Collapse

Making its second consecutive and third overall World Cup appearance, Costa Rica was placed into a grueling Group A alongside Poland, Ecuador, and host nation Germany.

Under the direction of Alexandre Borges Guimarães for a second straight World Cup, the Ticos opened the tournament on 9 June at Munich’s Allianz Arena against the hosts & three-time world champion. After Philipp Lahm gave Germany a 1:0 lead in the sixth minute, Paulo César Wanchope equalized for Costa Rica just six minutes later. Miroslav Klose quickly restored the German lead in the 17th minute and added a second in the 61st. Wanchope struck again in the 73rd minute to narrow the gap to 3:2, but Torsten Frings shattered any hope of a dramatic comeback. His 87th-minute rocket secured a 4:2 victory for Germany before a delighted crowd of 66,000.

Six days later (15 June), Costa Rica traveled to Hamburg's Volksparkstadion hoping to rebound. Instead, they suffered a demoralizing 3:0 defeat to a sharp Ecuador side in front of 30,000 fans, courtesy of goals from Carlos Tenorio (8'), Agustín Delgado (54') and Iván Kaviedes (90').

Already eliminated, Costa Rica aimed to exit with dignity in their group finale on 20 June at Hanover's Niedersachsenstadion. Ronald Gómez gave the Ticos a 25th-minute lead against the Polish side, but Bartosz Bosacki equalized eight minutes later. Bosacki struck again in the 65th minute, sealing a 2:1 win for Poland and sending Costa Rica home at the bottom of the group with zero points.

Group B: Trinidad & Tobago’s Valiant Debut

Trinidad & Tobago made its inaugural World Cup appearance in 2006, entering the tournament as the smallest nation ever to qualify at the time. Guided by veteran Dutch tactician Leo Beenhakker, the Soca Warriors faced a daunting Group B alongside Paraguay, Sweden, and England.

The debutants secured a legendary milestone on 10 June at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, battling through a red card to hold Sweden to a heroic 0:0 draw before 62,959 fans.

On 15 June at Nuremberg’s Frankenstadion, the Soca Warriors frustrated England's star-studded attack for 82 scoreless minutes. The deadlock finally broke when Peter Crouch headed home a controversial opener, followed by a stoppage-time rocket from Steven Gerrard to seal a 2:0 win for the Three Lions.

Despite the loss, Trinidad & Tobago still held a mathematical chance to advance heading into their 20 June finale against Paraguay at Kaiserslautern’s Fritz-Walter-Stadion. However, an agonizing own goal by Brent Sancho (25’) and a late strike from Nelson Cuevas (86’) handed Paraguay a 2:0 victory, ending the Caribbean side's dream run.

Group E: Disaster and Discipline for the USA

For the second consecutive World Cup, Brooklyn native Bruce Arena led the USA aiming to build on their historic 2002 quarterfinal run. Making their eighth appearance, the Stars & Stripes drew a brutal Group E featuring Italy, Czech Republic and debutants Ghana.

The tournament began in disaster on 12 June in Gelsenkirchen’s Arena AufSchalke. The USA was thoroughly dismantled 3:0 by the Czech Republic, pinned back by an early Jan Koller header (5') and a stunning brace from Tomáš Rosický (36', 76'), before a crowd of 52,000.

On 17 June, the USA restored their pride in one of the tournament's most chaotic, physical encounters. Facing eventual champions Italy in Kaiserslautern before 46,000 spectators, the USA battled to a 1:1 draw despite finishing the match with nine men against Italy's ten. Alberto Gilardino opened the scoring for Azzurri in the 22nd minute, but a comical own goal by Italian Cristian Zaccardo equalized for the Stars & Stripes five minutes later. Three red cards were flashed in total (one for Italy, two for USA) in a legendary defensive stand.

With a knockout spot still within reach, the USA faced Ghana on 22 June in Nuremberg. Haminu Draman capitalized on a defensive error to put the Black Stars ahead in the 22nd minute, before 41,000 in attendance. Clint Dempsey answered with a ferocious volley in the 43rd minute to level the score. However, deep into first-half stoppage time, a controversial penalty allowed Stephen Appiah to fire home the winner. Ghana advanced, and the USA went home.

Group D: Mexico turns luck around

Mexico hoped its 13th World Cup appearance would bring better fortune. El Tri was managed by Ricardo La Volpe, the tactical Argentine who had been a reserve goalkeeper for Argentina’s 1978 championship squad.

Mexico secured Concacaf’s only victory of the entire tournament on 11 June at Frankenstadion as a crowd of 41,000 saw El Tri defeat Iran 3:1. Omar Bravo netted a crucial brace (28', 76') and Sinha added late insurance (79’), canceling out Yahya Golmohammadi's first-half equalizer (36’) for Team Melli.

Five days later (16 June) in Hanover’s Niedersachsenstadion, Mexico’s offense stalled against World Cup debutants Angola, settling for a frustrating 0:0 draw, before 43,000 spectators.

Needing a result to guarantee the top spot in Group D, however Mexico dropped a 2:1 decision to group leader Portugal on 21 June in Gelsenkirchen, before a crowd of 52,000. Portugal struck fast with goals from Maniche (6') and a Simão penalty (24'). Francisco Fonseca pulled one back for Mexico in the 29th minute, and despite Omar Bravo later missing a penalty, El Tri qualified for the knockout rounds in second place after Angola failed to win their match.

Round of 16: Heartbreak in Leipzig

As the sole Concacaf team remaining, Mexico faced old foes Argentina in the ‘Round of 16’ on 24 June at Leipzig’s Zentralstadion.

Captain Rafael Márquez gave El Tri an electrifying start, sliding home a goal in the sixth minute. Argentina responded almost immediately when Hernán Crespo forced an equalizer just four minutes later. The match remained deadlocked through a tense second half, forcing extra time. In the 98th minute, Maxi Rodríguez scored one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history—cheating the ball down on his chest before unleashing a thunderous left-footed volley into the top corner—shattering Mexican hearts and sealing a 2:1 victory for Argentina.

The Aftermath

The tournament concluded on 9 July at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Italy lifted its fourth World Cup trophy, defeating France 5:3 on penalties following a dramatic 1:1 draw defined by Zinedine Zidane’s infamous extra-time red card. For Concacaf, the tournament stood as a stark reminder of the widening gap between the region and the world's elite.

2006 World Cup

Costa Rica Roster

GK: Wardy Alfaro (LD Alajuelense), Álvaro Mesén (CS Herediano), GK José Francisco Porras (Deportivo Saprissa);

DF: Gabriel Badilla (Deportivo Saprissa), Jervis Drummond (Deportivo Saprissa), Leonardo González (CS Herediano), Luis Marín (LD Alajuelense), Gilberto Martínez (Brescia Calcio/ITA), Michael Rodríguez (LD Alajuelense), Douglas Sequeira (Real Salt Lake/USA), Michael Umaña (Brujas FC), Harold Wallace (LD Alajuelense);

MD: Randall Azofeifa (Deportivo Saprissa), Christian Bolaños (Deportivo Saprissa), Walter Centeno (Deportivo Saprissa), Danny Fonseca (CS Cartaginés), Carlos Hernández (LD Alajuelense), Mauricio Solís (Comunicaciones FC/GUA);

AT: Kurt Bernard (Puntarenas FC), Rónald Gómez (Deportivo Saprissa), Víctor Núñez (CS Cartaginés), Álvaro Saborío (Deportivo Saprissa), Paulo César Wanchope (CS Herediano).

TD: Alexandre Borges Guimarães (CRC)

Mexico Roster

GK: José de Jesús Corona (Tecos FC), Guillermo Ochoa (Club América), Oswaldo Sánchez (CD Guadalajara);

DF: José Antonio Castro (Club América), Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona/ESP), Mario Méndez (CF Monterrey), Ricardo Osorio (CD SC Cruz Azul), Gonzalo Pineda (CD Guadalajara), Francisco Javier Rodríguez (CD Guadalajara), Carlos Salcido (CD Guadalajara), Claudio Suárez (CD Chivas USA);

MD: Jesús Arellano (CF Monterrey), Rafale García (Atlas FC), Andrés Guardado (Atlas FC), Ramón Morales (CD Guadalajara), Pável Pardo (Club América), Luis Ernesto Pérez (CF Monterrey), Sinha (CD Toluca), Gerardo Torrado (CD SC Cruz Azul);

AT: Jared Borgetti (Bolton Wanderers FC/ENG), Omar Bravo (CD Guadalajara), Francisco Fonseca (CD SC Cruz Azul), Guillermo Frano (Villarreal CF/ESP).

TD: Ricardo La Volpe (ARG)

Trinidad & Tobago Roster

GK: Clayton Ince (Coventry City FC/ENG), Cyd Gray (San Juan Jabloteh), Shaka Hislop (West Ham United FC/ENG), Kelvin Jack (Dundee FC/SCO);

DF: Marvin Andrews (Rangers FC/SCO), David Atiba Charles (W Connection FC), Ian Cox (Gillingham FC/ENG), Carlos Edwards (Luton Town FC/ENG), Avery John (New England Revolution/USA), Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham AFC/WAL), Brent Sancho (Gillingham FC/ENG);

MD: Chris Birchall (Port Vale FC/ENG), Russell Latapy (Falkirk FC/SCO), Collin Samuel (Dundee United FC/SCO), Densill Theobald (Falkirk FC/SCO), Aurtis Whitley (San Juan Jabloteh), Evans Wise (SV Waldhof Mannheim/GER), Anthony Wolfe (San Juan Jabloteh);

AT: Cornell Glen (Los Angeles Galaxy/USA), Stern John (Coventry City/ENG), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton FC/ENG), Jason Scotland (St. Johnstone FC/SCO), Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC/AUS).

TD: Leo Beenhakker (NED)

USA Roster

GK: Marcus Hahnemann (Reading FC/ENG), Tim Howard (Manchester United FC/ENG), Kasey Keller (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER);

DF: Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC/ENG), Gregg Berhalter (FC Energie Cottbus/GER), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/GER), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Oguchi Onyewu (Royal Standard de Liège/BEL), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake);

MD: DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Bobby Convey (Reading FC/ENG), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Eddie Lewis (Leeds United FC/ENG) Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), John O’Brien (CD Chivas USA), Ben Olsen (D.C. United), Claudio Reyna (Manchester City FC/ENG);

AT: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Brian McBride (Fulham FC/ENG), Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards).

TD: Bruce Arena (USA)

Editor’s Note: Acknowledgement to ANCCIF North Zone Board Member – Marcelo Assaf (Mexico) & ANCCIF Member - Rodrigo Calvo (Costa Rica)  for their assistance on this article