Shocking Twist Halts Nicaragua vs. Haiti Match in CONCACAF Qualifiers—What Really Happened?

On Thursday night, the stage was set for a riveting showdown between Nicaragua and Haiti at the Nicaragua National Football Stadium—Matchday 3 of the CONCACAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers promised plenty. But then, just as Haiti was putting the first thrill on the board, in came an unexpected twist: an electrical blackout plunged the pitch into darkness, halting the game in its tracks during the opening half. The relentless rainstorm had swept through Managua, and with the stadium lights flickering out, both sides had no choice but to retreat to the locker rooms, clock ticking on a suspense-filled pause. After over 40 minutes of nail-biting delay, the floodlights flicked back to life, letting the battle resume with slightly eased conditions, yet a heavy air of anticipation still hung. Haiti’s early goal had already shaken things up atop Group C, leaving fans wondering—could this be the turning point in their quest for a return to soccer’s grandest stage? The drama unfolding here is just one chapter in the thrilling qualification saga. LEARN MORE

Nicaragua was set to host Haiti on Thursday night for Matchday 3 of the CONCACAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers. However, a sudden issue at the Nicaragua National Football Stadium forced the game to be temporarily suspended in the first half.

The match between Nicaragua and Haiti was halted due to an electrical failure at the National Stadium in Managua. Just minutes after Haiti’s opening goal, heavy rain swept across the city, leading to a power outage that forced play to be suspended.

A malfunction in the lighting system prompted the referee to stop the game in the 29th minute of the first half while stadium officials worked to restore power. Both teams returned to their locker rooms as they awaited an official decision from tournament organizers.

After more than 40 minutes of suspension, officials decided to resume play at 9:45 p.m. ET. The rain continues to affect conditions, but the stadium lights are back on, and the downpour has eased compared to when the match was first halted.

Haiti at the top of Group C

In the 12th minute, the visitors opened the scoring after goalkeeper Miguel Rodríguez failed to secure a cross, allowing Duckens Nazon to pounce on the loose ball inside the box and find the back of the net. The current result puts Haiti temporarily at the top of Group C of the World Cup qualifiers with five points from three matches, though the game against Nicaragua remains unresolved.

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Honduras and Costa Rica have yet to kick off at the Francisco Morazán Stadium, but the current results have fans buzzing with anticipation. Haiti, who have only appeared in one World Cup, back in 1974, could take a major step toward a long-awaited return to the global stage with a win over Nicaragua.