French Guiana Defeated St. Maarten in Nations League
Joel Haabo scored a stoppage-time winner to secure a 1-0 victory at FFB Stadium.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Soccer
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French Guiana secured a narrow 1-0 victory over St. Maarten in a CONCACAF Nations League match held in Belize. A late strike by Joel Haabo in the 90+5th minute decided the outcome after a competitive second half.
Why it matters
The result leaves Team St. Maarten searching for their first points in Group D after another 1-0 loss. With several key players unavailable due to personal commitments, the team faces mounting pressure as they look toward upcoming matches.
The match was decided by a solitary goal in the 90+5th minute, marking the second consecutive 1-0 defeat for St. Maarten in Group D. The team has four games remaining in their current Nations League schedule.
The players
Joel Haabo
He is a French Guiana player who secured the match-winning goal in the final moments of play.
CONCACAF
This is the governing body for association football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The details
Despite creating multiple scoring opportunities throughout the second half, St. Maarten could not convert their chances before Haabo broke the deadlock. The match took place at FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.
Timeline
The match concluded on September 29, 2026.
St. Maarten plays St. Vincent and the Grenadines on October 2, 2026.
A second match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines is set for October 6, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This loss keeps St. Maarten at the bottom of the group, significantly complicating their path to advancement. The team must now look to recover points in their upcoming fixtures against St. Vincent and the Grenadines to remain competitive.
St. Maarten remains scoreless through two group matches, putting immense pressure on their upcoming back-to-back series. The team must secure points against St. Vincent and the Grenadines to maintain a viable path toward group progression.
The takeaway
Maintaining squad depth remains a critical challenge for teams in international tournament play. Consistent scoring performance will be essential for St. Maarten to improve their standing in future qualifying windows.
What happens next
St. Maarten is scheduled to play St. Vincent and the Grenadines on October 2, 2026, and October 6, 2026, followed by a rematch against French Guiana in November.
Further reading
For more updates on international competition, visit our Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Herald.
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