Puerto Rico national football team facts for kids
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Nickname(s) | El Huracán Azul (The Blue Hurricane) Los Boricuas (The Boricuas) |
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Association | Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol (FPF) | ||
Confederation | CONCACAF (North America) | ||
Sub-confederation | CFU (Caribbean) | ||
Head coach | Charlie Trout | ||
Captain | Nicolás Cardona | ||
Most caps | Héctor Ramos (36) | ||
Top scorer | Ricardo Rivera (19) | ||
Home stadium | Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel Estadio Centroamericano |
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FIFA code | PUR | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 179 ![]() |
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Highest | 97 (March 1994) | ||
Lowest | 202 (November 2004) | ||
Elo ranking | |||
Current | 189 ![]() |
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Highest | 171 (21–25 May 1993) | ||
Lowest | 201 (3 February 2001; 21 July 2002) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Havana, Cuba; 12 November 1940) |
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Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Port-au-Prince, Haiti; 9 September 2012) |
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Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Caracas, Venezuela; 15 January 1959) |
The Puerto Rico national football team (also called Selección de fútbol de Puerto Rico in Spanish) plays for Puerto Rico in international football games. The team is managed by the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol (Puerto Rican Football Federation). Their nickname is El Huracán Azul, which means The Blue Hurricane. They are part of the Caribbean Football Union and CONCACAF. The team has never played in the FIFA World Cup or the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Contents
Team History
Early Years: 1940–1990
Puerto Rico's first international match was against Cuba in 1940. They tied that game 1–1. Their first win came in 1970, a 3–0 victory against the Bahamas. In 1972, Puerto Rico won 1–0 against Panama in a friendly game. During the 1980s and 1990s, most of their wins were against teams like the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Martinique.
Chris Armas and the 1990s
Chris Armas played for Puerto Rico in the 1993 Caribbean Cup. During this tournament, Puerto Rico won four games in a row without letting the other team score. However, FIFA did not officially recognize these games. Because of this, Chris Armas was later able to play for the United States. He played over 50 games for the U.S. team.
Tough Times: 1995–2007
Between 1995 and 2007, Puerto Rico did not win any games. They only had four ties. During this period, their ranking in the FIFA Rankings dropped to 202nd place.
A New Start: 2008–2015

In recent years, Puerto Rico started to play better, much like they did in the 1990s. In 2008, they won two away games against Bermuda (1–0 and 2–0). They also tied 2–2 with Trinidad and Tobago. They got their first win since 1994 when they beat the Dominican Republic in the first round of World Cup qualifiers.
Even though they lost the first game 4–0 to Honduras, they tied the home game 2–2 in the second round. The Puerto Rican Football Federation planned for the team to play in future Caribbean Cup and Gold Cup tournaments. Andres Cabrero, who has played the most games for Puerto Rico, was the only active player from the 2010 World Cup qualifiers as of 2021.
Puerto Rico was supposed to play in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games at home in Mayagüez. But due to problems with the stadiums, the team could not compete.
On August 15, 2012, Puerto Rico played a friendly game against Spain, who were then the World and European champions. Puerto Rico lost 2–1 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
On June 5, 2015, Puerto Rico played a friendly against Bermuda. This was their last friendly before the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. The game ended in a 1–1 tie. After losing to Grenada 2–1 in the qualifiers, coach Jose 'Cukito' Martinez left. Carlos Avedissian from Uruguay then became the head coach. On December 11, 2015, Puerto Rico played a friendly against the MLS team New York City, losing 2–1.
Recent Years: 2016–Present
Coaching Changes
Carlos Avedissian coached the team in 2015, mostly using players from Puerto Rico's local leagues. On May 22, 2016, Puerto Rico played against the United States for the first time, losing 3–1. Avedissian was replaced by Jack Stefanowski for a short time. With mostly local players, Puerto Rico reached the third round of the 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification for the first time. They beat Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda. This meant they were only two games away from reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Stefanowski had to leave his coaching role.
On September 3, 2016, Puerto Rico played India for the first time in a friendly game in Mumbai, but they lost 1–4.
After Stefanowski left, Carlos Cantarero became the head coach. The team played three friendly games before important matches against Antigua and Barbuda and Curaçao. Coach Cantarero could not be there for the friendly games. Puerto Rico lost a key match against Curaçao, even after being ahead 2–0. This loss meant Curaçao advanced to the Gold Cup.
Puerto Rico did not play another international match until the summer of 2017, when they tied 0–0 against Indonesia.
After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, leaving the island without power, the MLS club Orlando City SC announced a "Fuerza Puerto Rico’ Friendly" game for November 4. All money raised from this game went to help the island recover. Puerto Rico lost this game 6–1.
In May 2018, Amado Guevara, a former player from Honduras, became the new head coach.
2020s and Nations League Success
On March 19, 2023, Charlie Trout was announced as the new head coach.
In the CONCACAF Nations League, Puerto Rico played in League C. They were in Group D with the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. The team beat the British Virgin Islands 3–1 and the Cayman Islands 5–1. They won their group, which meant they were invited to the Gold Cup prelims and moved up to League B for the next Nations League.
In the Gold Cup prelims, Puerto Rico tied Suriname 0–0 and then won in a penalty shootout 4–3. In the next round, they played Martinique. Puerto Rico lost 2–0 and was out of the tournament.
Team Look
Kit Sponsors
Kit supplier | Period |
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2018–2024 |
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2024– |
Game Results and Upcoming Matches
Here are the results from the last 12 months and any games planned for the future.
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | El Salvador ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
San Salvador, El Salvador |
20:30 UTC−6 | Stadium: Estadio Cuscatlán Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras) |
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Puerto Rico ![]() |
8–0 | ![]() |
Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
20:00 UTC−6 |
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Stadium: Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica) |
6 September 2024–25 Nations League | Puerto Rico ![]() |
1–4 | ![]() |
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
20:00 UTC−4 | Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez Referee: Filip Dujic (Canada) |
9 September 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League | Aruba ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
20:00 UTC−4 | Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez Referee: Kimbell Ward (St. Kitts and Nevis) |
11 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League | Sint Maarten ![]() |
3–2 | ![]() |
Oranjestad, Aruba |
16:00 UTC−4 |
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Stadium: Trinidad Stadium Attendance: 19 Referee: Benjamin Pineda (Costa Rica) |
14 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League | Puerto Rico ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Oranjestad, Aruba |
16:00 UTC−4 |
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Stadium: Trinidad Stadium Referee: Moeth Gaymes (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) |
2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League | Puerto Rico ![]() |
5–1 | ![]() |
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
19:00 UTC−4 | Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez Referee: Fernando Morón (Panama) |
18 November 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League | Haiti ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez Referee: Rubiel Vázquez (United States) |
21 March Friendly | Puerto Rico ![]() |
2-2 | ![]() |
Bayamon, Puerto Rico |
20:00 UTC−4 | Stadium: Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel |
25 March Friendly | Dominican Republic ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Santiago, Dominican Republic |
Stadium: Estadio Cibao FC |
1 June Friendly | Puerto Rico ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Pawtucket, United States |
Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium |
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Suriname ![]() |
1-0 | ![]() |
Paramaribo, Suriname |
19:00 UTC−3 | Stadium: Dr. Franklin Essed Stadium Attendance: 3,300 Referee: Nelson Salgado (Honduras) |
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Puerto Rico ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
21:00 UTC−4 | Stadium: Mayagüez Athletics Stadium Referee: Randy Solano (Dominican Republic) |
Coaching Staff
Coaching History
Here is a list of past coaches for the Puerto Rico national football team.
Eduardo Ordóñez Munguira (1959)
Raúl Marchant González (1966)
Egberto Morales Carrasco (1972)
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Luis Villarejo (1974–1975)
Carlos Martinolli (1978–1979)
Joe Serralta (1979–1982)
Juan "Saso" Tullier (1982–1984)
Ricardo "Richie" Romano (1985–1990)
Víctor Hugo Barros (1990–1991)
Arnie Ramirez (1992)
Oscar Rosa (1992)
Cristóbal Vaccaro (1996)
José Luis "Majo" Rodríguez (1999)
Raimundo Gatinho (2000)
Toribio Rojas (2002–2003)
Víctor Hugo Barros (2004)
Colin Clarke (2007–2011)
Jack Stefanowski (2011)
Adrian Whitbread (2011)
Jeaustin Campos (2011–2013)
Víctor Hugo Barros (2013–2014)
José "Cukito" Martinez (2015)
Carlos Avedissian (2015–2016)
Jack Stefanowski (2016)
Carlos García Cantarero (2016–2018)
Amado Guevara (2018–2019)
Elgy Morales (2019–2021)
Dave Sarachan (2021–2022)
Charlie Trout (2023–present)
Players
Current Squad
The players listed below were called to play in the friendly game against Nicaragua on June 1, 2025.
Caps (games played) and goals are correct as of March 26, 2025, after the match against Dominican Republic.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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GK | Joel Serrano | May 17, 1999 | 22 | 0 | ![]() |
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GK | Sebastián Cutler | May 20, 2003 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
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GK | Jean Luc Fontana | 12 October 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Nicolás Cardona | February 14, 1998 | 23 | 1 | ![]() |
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DF | Rodolfo Sulia | August 8, 2002 | 22 | 3 | ![]() |
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DF | Beto Ydrach | November 20, 2002 | 13 | 1 | ![]() |
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DF | Giovanni Calderón | September 15, 2000 | 11 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Colby Quiñones | April 14, 2003 | 11 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Orion McHugh | July 6, 2001 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Gerald Díaz | March 23, 1999 | 35 | 12 | ![]() |
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MF | Juan O'Neill | 12 July 1998 | 21 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Sidney Paris | March 10, 2002 | 11 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Adrián Biaggi | April 13, 2005 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Benjamín Donato | July 5, 2005 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Steven Echevarria | August 19, 2000 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Nacho Antonetti | 2 February 2008 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Ricardo Rivera | April 17, 1997 | 34 | 19 | ![]() |
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FW | Darren Ríos | October 14, 1995 | 34 | 6 | ![]() |
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FW | Wilfredo Rivera | October 14, 2003 | 22 | 5 | ![]() |
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FW | Jaden Servania | July 16, 2001 | 22 | 2 | ![]() |
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FW | Leandro Antonetti | January 1, 2003 | 15 | 4 | ![]() |
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FW | Noeh Hernández | December 9, 2004 | 12 | 1 | ![]() |
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FW | Alec Díaz | December 7, 2001 | 11 | 2 | Free agent |
Recent Call-ups
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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DF | Ryan Basabe | June 22, 2003 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Eddiel Márquez | May 25, 2003 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Enrique Nieves IV | October 23, 2003 | 4 | 0 | Free agent | |
FW | Jeremy de León | September 30, 2004 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
Records
Players in bold are still active with Puerto Rico.
Most Games Played
Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Héctor Ramos | 36 | 18 | 2010–2019 |
2 | Andrés Cabrero | 35 | 4 | 2008–2018 |
Gerald Díaz | 35 | 13 | 2017–present | |
Ricardo Rivera | 35 | 19 | 2016–present | |
5 | Darren Ríos | 34 | 6 | 2016–present |
6 | Jackie Marrero | 32 | 6 | 2011–2019 |
7 | Alexis Rivera | 31 | 0 | 2004–2016 |
8 | Nicolás Cardona | 24 | 1 | 2021–present |
9 | Cristian Arrieta | 22 | 5 | 2010–2015 |
Noah Delgado | 22 | 3 | 2008–2012 | |
Juan O'Neill | 22 | 0 | 2017–present | |
Wilfredo Rivera | 22 | 5 | 2021–present | |
Joel Serrano | 22 | 0 | 2021–present |
Top Goal Scorers
Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | Ricardo Rivera | 19 | 35 | 0.54 | 2016–present |
2 | Héctor Ramos | 18 | 36 | 0.5 | 2010–2019 |
3 | Gerald Díaz | 13 | 35 | 0.37 | 2017–present |
4 | Chris Megaloudis | 6 | 20 | 0.3 | 2008–2012 |
Jackie Marrero | 6 | 32 | 0.19 | 2011–2019 | |
Darren Ríos | 6 | 34 | 0.18 | 2016–present | |
7 | Marcos Lugris | 5 | 20 | 0.25 | 1983–1998 |
Cristian Arrieta | 5 | 22 | 0.23 | 2010–2015 | |
Wilfredo Rivera | 5 | 22 | 0.23 | 2021–present | |
10 | Danny Mueller | 4 | 6 | 0.67 | 1992–1993 |
Joel Burgos | 4 | 8 | 0.5 | 2023–present | |
Raphael Ortiz | 4 | 12 | 0.33 | 2000–2010 | |
Leandro Antonetti | 4 | 15 | 0.27 | 2022–present | |
Isaac Angking | 4 | 15 | 0.27 | 2021–present | |
Andrés Cabrero | 4 | 35 | 0.11 | 2008–2018 |
Tournament History
FIFA World Cup
Puerto Rico has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. They first tried to qualify for the 1974 World Cup.
CONCACAF Gold Cup
The team has never qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. They started trying to qualify for this tournament in 1991.
CONCACAF Nations League
Puerto Rico has played in the CONCACAF Nations League. In the 2022–23 season, they won their group in League C and were promoted to League B. They have stayed in League B for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.
CFU Caribbean Cup
Puerto Rico's best result in the Caribbean Cup was finishing fourth in 1981, when they hosted the tournament. They have not qualified for the finals of this competition since then.
Pan American Games
Puerto Rico has participated in the Pan American Games football tournament. Their best finish was in 1979, where they reached the second round and placed 5th overall.
More Football Information
- Puerto Rico national under-20 football team
- Puerto Rico national under-17 football team
- Football in Puerto Rico
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Puerto Rico para niños