1989 CONCACAF Championship qualification
A total of 16 CONCACAF teams entered the competition. However, FIFA rejected the entry of Belize due to debts to FIFA.
There would be two rounds of play:
- First Round: Canada, Honduras, El Salvador, United States and Mexico, the five best ranked teams according to FIFA, received byes and advanced to the Second Round directly. The remaining 10 teams were paired up to play knockout matches on a home-and-away basis. The winners would advance to the Second Round.
- Second Round: The 10 teams were paired up to play knockout matches on a home-and-away basis. The winners would advance to the tournament.
CONCACAF First Round
17 April 1988 |
Guyana  |
0–4 |  Trinidad and Tobago |
|---|---|---|
Elliot-Allen  Faustin Lake Skeene |
Referee: Omar Monsón (Puerto Rico) |
Trinidad and Tobago advanced to the Second Round, 5–0 on aggregate score.
Guatemala advanced to the Second Round, 2–1 on aggregate score.
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Jamaica advanced to the Second Round, 3–1 on aggregate score.
19 June 1988 |
Antigua and Barbuda  |
0–1 | .svg.png){kind=small} Netherlands Antilles |
|---|---|---|
| Rovina |
Referee: José Hernandez (Costa Rica) |
29 July 1988 |
| Netherlands Antilles |
3–1 (a.e.t.) |
Antigua and Barbuda |
|---|---|---|
| Rovina 104' 118' Rosina 120' |
Edwards 38' |
Referee: José Antonio Garza (Mexico) |
Netherlands Antilles advanced to the Second Round, 4–1 on aggregate score.
31 July 1988 |
Panama  |
0–2 |  Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Cayasso 1' Medford 71' |
Referee: Charles Branche (Trinidad and Tobago) |
Costa Rica advanced to the Second Round, 3–1 on aggregate score.
CONCACAF Second Round
1 October 1988 |
| Netherlands Antilles |
0–1 |  El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| García 53' |
Referee: Charles Branche (Trinidad and Tobago) |
16 October 1988 |
| El Salvador |
5–0 | Netherlands Antilles |
|---|---|---|
| Coreas 5' C. Zapata Garcia 35'L. Zapata 58', 68' |
Referee: Bucknor (Jamaica) |
El Salvador qualified, 6–0 on aggregate score.
13 August 1988 |
United States  |
5–1 |  Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Bliss 18' H. Pérez 68'Klopas 76', 85'Krumpe 78' |
Sterling 54' |
Referee: David Brummitt (Canada) |
United States qualified, 5–1 on aggregate score.
13 November 1988 |
Honduras  |
1–1 | Trinidad and Tobago |
|---|---|---|
| Flores 20' |
Charles 56' |
Referee: Tony Evangelista (Canada) |
The aggregate score was tied at 1–1, however Trinidad and Tobago qualified on away goals.
Mexico was disqualified for fielding over-aged players in a youth tournament, so Costa Rica qualified automatically.
15 October 1988 |
Canada  |
3–2 |  Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell 63', 83' (pen.) Bridge 88' |
Paniagua 7' Castañeda 37' |
Referee: Berny Ulloa (Costa Rica) |
The aggregate score was tied at 3–3, however Guatemala qualified on away goals.