Lady Jags fall to Nicaragua at home

Some members of the Lady Jags

Guyana’s journey toward the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics began with a disappointing 3-1 loss to Nicaragua in their CONCACAF Women’s Qualifier opener. The match, held at the National Track and Field Facility, saw the Lady Jags struggle against a determined Nicaraguan side that capitalized on defensive errors, particularly in the first half.

Nicaragua took an early lead in the third minute when Sheyla Flores scored after intercepting a poor back-pass. Guyana responded in the 18th minute when Annalisa Vincent equalized with a powerful header. However, just before halftime, Nuria Marquez restored Nicaragua’s lead with a solo effort, and shortly after the second half began, Doriana Aguilar extended the lead to 3-1 with a tap-in from a Flores cross, silencing the home crowd.

Nicaragua’s victory puts them in a strong position in Group B, having previously defeated Antigua and Barbuda 4-0. Guyana now faces a challenging path in the competitive five-team group, with the group winner earning a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship, the final qualification round for the World Cup and Olympics.

Currently ranked 12th in CONCACAF, Guyana is the second-highest ranked team in the group, trailing only Jamaica (5th). Nicaragua (18th), Dominica (27th), and Antigua and Barbuda (19th) complete the group. The Lady Jags will regroup ahead of their next qualifier against Dominica in February 2026.