KRALENDIJK – Bonaire’s national football team will begin a new edition of the Concacaf Nations League at the end of September. Bonaire once again competes in League B and has been placed in Group C alongside Cuba, Grenada, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. The first matchday window features four fixtures right away.
The first two matches will be played in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Bonaire opens on Friday, September 25 at 8:00 PM against hosts Saint Kitts and Nevis. Three days later, on Monday, September 28 at 5:00 PM, Cuba awaits. Both matches will be played at the SKNFA Technical Center.
The group then moves to Trinidad and Tobago. On Friday, October 2, Bonaire faces Grenada at 8:00 PM at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. On Monday, October 5, Grenada and Bonaire meet again, also at 8:00 PM.
In total, each team in League B plays six group matches. Bonaire will therefore face Cuba, Grenada, and Saint Kitts and Nevis twice each. The final two matches of the group stage will be played in November. The new format uses centralized venues, meaning matches are not always played in the home team’s own country.
Only group winner earns promotion
There is a lot at stake for Bonaire. Only the group winner earns promotion to League A. The four group winners from League B will also advance to the new League B Championship, where the League B title will be decided in March 2027.
A second-place finish does not lead to promotion this season. Bonaire would then, just like a third-place finish, remain in League B. The team finishing fourth and last will be relegated to League C. The Nations League also plays a role in qualification for the 2027 Gold Cup, although Concacaf has indicated that the exact qualification rules will be announced at a later date.
Third place last year
Bonaire managed to hold their place in League B during the previous Nations League edition. The team finished third in Group A in the 2024/2025 season. Bonaire collected four points from six matches: one win, one draw, and four defeats. Their goal difference was +4 scored and 8 conceded.
El Salvador won the group with fifteen points and were promoted to League A. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines finished second with thirteen points. Bonaire ultimately only finished above Montserrat. That country ended last with three points and was relegated to League C.
