Reinaldo Rueda in Tears as Honduras Is Eliminated from World Cup 2026

Image: Telemundo

Honduras walked away from the night in Costa Rica with a heavy heart. The 0–0 draw against the Ticos ended their World Cup dream and led to one of the toughest moments of the whole campaign: Reinaldo Rueda breaking down in tears during the press conference. The coach couldn’t hide his emotions as he talked about his team’s effort and the pain of missing out on the 2026 World Cup.

Honduras came into the match knowing they had to win. A victory would have sent them straight through, but the draw — combined with Haiti’s win over Nicaragua — crushed any hope. Players and staff left the field frustrated, quiet, and visibly heartbroken. That sadness carried into the locker room and later into the press conference, where Rueda finally let everything out. He explained that the group worked hard throughout the qualifiers, but admitted it simply wasn’t enough in the end. The image of Rueda with tears in his eyes spread quickly across social media and became the symbol of the team’s pain. Fans felt it too, knowing the team fell just short of a World Cup spot that once seemed within reach.

The elimination also hit Honduras hard because of what it means historically. The country has made it to three World Cups — Spain 1982, South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014. Even though they never advanced past the group stage, each appearance meant something special. This time, they didn’t even reach the intercontinental playoff.

Honduras is out, and the entire country feels it.

In Group C of the Concacaf qualifiers, Honduras finished with 9 points, two behind Haiti, who topped the group with 11. The draw against Costa Rica, combined with Haiti’s win, left Honduras with no chance at a World Cup ticket. Fans reacted with sadness, but many also showed support for players who gave everything during the campaign. The feeling across the country was one of frustration and disappointment as people tried to process another missed opportunity.

Rueda walked out of the press room in tears, leaving one clear message: Honduras fought, but couldn’t find the path to the World Cup. The pain of that night will be remembered, and it left a bitter feeling throughout the nation.