El Salvador national under-20 football team

El Salvador Under 20
NicknameLa Azulita
Association
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Head coach Erick Prado
FIFA codeSLV
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Curaçao 1–19 El Salvador
(Panama City, Panama; March 6, 1962)
Biggest win
El Salvador 16–0 Nicaragua 
(Guatemala City, Guatemala; August 17, 1982)
Biggest defeat
 Mexico 12–0 El Salvador
(Havana, Cuba; September 29, 1970)
Records for competitive
matches only.

The El Salvador Under 20s football team, is commonly known as La Azulita. La Azulita is controlled by Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol(FESFUT) and represents El Salvador in all international Under 20 competitions.

Their first U-20 World Cup was at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where they saw their first victory at a major FIFA tournament (outside of beach soccer) to Australia by 2–1, scored respectively by Diego Coca and José Peña.

CONCACAF Championship

2024 CONCACAF Championship

On April 11, 2024, CONCACAF had their official draw. El Salvador was placed in Group B alongside, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Canada. All games will be played in Estadio Sergio León Chávez in Irapuato, Mexico starting July 20, 2024.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Honduras 3 2 1 0 11 5 +6 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Canada 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2 7
3  El Salvador 3 1 0 2 3 6 −3 3
4  Dominican Republic 3 0 0 3 2 7 −5 0
Source: CONCACAF
Rules for classification: tiebreakers

El Salvador's U-20 national team participated in the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship, held in Irapuato, Mexico. They were drawn into Group B alongside Honduras, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. The team began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over the Dominican Republic, with Christopher Argueta scoring the lone goal in the 62nd minute. Goalkeeper Daniel Franco played a crucial role, making several important saves including a penalty stop.

However, El Salvador's fortunes turned in their subsequent matches. They suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against Honduras, despite initially taking the lead through Nelson Díaz. In their final group match, they lost 2-1 to Canada in a closely contested game. Francis Castillo scored El Salvador's goal, but a late bicycle kick by Bunbury secured Canada's win. El Salvador thought they had equalized in the final moments through Walter Menjívar, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review. With one win and two losses, El Salvador finished third in Group B with three points and a goal difference, which was insufficient to advance to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams.

Dominican Republic 0-1 El Salvador
Report Christopher Argueta 62'

El Salvador 1-4 Honduras
Nelson Díaz 40' Report Diego Guardado 45'+1 (OG)

Dereck Moncada 53'

Anfronit Tatúm 66', 84'

El Salvador 1-2 Canada
Francis Castillo 77' Report Santiago López 21' Mataeo Bunbury 90'+3

2024 Qualifiers

La Azulita qualified for the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship which is slated for the Summer of 2024. El Salvador U20 started the CONCACAF Qualifying on Friday, February 23, 2024, till Saturday, March 2, 2024, at ABFA Technical Center in Antigua and Barbuda. The Azulita finished first with 10 points. Suriname came in second with 9, Antigua and Barbuda with 6, Guyana with 4 and Turks and Caicos 0.

El Salvador belongs to Group B. Group B consist of the following Nations:

After round-robin play between February 23 and March 2, 2024, the first-place team from each group will advance to the 2024 CONCACAF Men's U-20 Championship, joining the six pre-seeded top-ranked nations.[1] Which include in order, United States, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

February 23, 2024 (2024-02-23) El Salvador  7-0  Turks and Caicos Islands Stadium in Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
09:30 Christopher Argueta 26'

Daniel Espana 37'
Walter Menjívar 41'
Wilber Diaz 67'
Wilber Diaz 80'
Darwin Lopez 90+1'

Nelson Díaz 90+3'
Report Stadium: ABFA Technical Center, Antigua and Barbuda
February 25, 2024 (2024-02-25) Guyana  2-2  El Salvador Stadium in Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
09:30 Nathaniel Pydana 10'
Nathaniel Pydana 83'
Report 22' Kiano Falcao
62' Wilber Diaz
Stadium: ABFA Technical Center, Antigua and Barbuda
February 29, 2024 (2024-02-29) El Salvador  3-0  Suriname Stadium in Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
14:00 Christopher Argueta 10'

Nestor Delgado 24'

Kiano Falcao 66'
Report Stadium: ABFA Technical Center, Antigua and Barbuda
March 2, 2024 (2024-03-02) Antigua and Barbuda  0-1  El Salvador Stadium in Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
14:00 Report Christopher Guardado 57' Stadium: ABFA Technical Center, Antigua and Barbuda

UNCAF 2024

La Azulita, along with seven other selections, gathered in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to participate in an international competition through the tournament UNCAF FIFA FORWARD.[2] La Azulita was grouped in Group A with Honduras, Panamá, and Nicaragua.

January 19, 2024 (2024-01-19) Panama  3-0  El Salvador Tegucigalpa, Honduras
11:10 Stadium: Sede C.D. Olimpia, Honduras
January 21, 2024 (2024-01-21) Honduras  4-2  El Salvador Tegucigalpa, Honduras
15:10 Stadium: Sede C.D. Olimpia, Honduras
January 23, 2024 (2024-01-23) El Salvador  0-5  Nicaragua Tegucigalpa, Honduras
15:10 Stadium: Sede C.D. Olimpia, Honduras
January 25, 2024 (2024-01-25) Cuba  3-3  El Salvador Tegucigalpa, Honduras
10:30 Stadium: Sede C.D. Olimpia, Honduras
Penalties
3 4

2024 current squad

On February 19, 2024, the Head Coach Juan Cortes named the following players to the CONCACAF Under-20 Qualifiers. The Qualifiers run from February 23, 2024, to March 2, 2024, in Antigua and Barbuda.

History of La Azulita

FIFA U-20 World Cup record

Year Round GP W D* L GS GA
1977 Did not qualify
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013 Group stage 3 1 0 2 2 7
2015 Did not qualify
2017
2019
2021 Cancelled
2023 Did not qualify
2025
2027 To be determined
Total 1/25 3 1 0 2 2 7

Previous fixtures and results

Date: Location: Opponent: Score* Competition: El Salvador scorers:
October 22, 2025 Estadio Cementos Progreso, Guatemala City, Guatemala  Guatemala 0-2 [1] 2025 Central American Games Nil
October 24, 2025 Estadio Cementos Progreso, Guatemala City, Guatemala  Nicaragua 0-1 2025 Central American Games Carlos Garay 25'
October 26, 2025 Estadio Cementos Progreso, Guatemala City, Guatemala  Panama 1-3 [2] 2025 Central American Games Nelson Diaz 46'
October 28, 2025 Estadio Cementos Progreso, Guatemala City, Guatemala  Nicaragua 2-4 [3] 2025 Central American Games Christopher Guardado 19'
Nelson Diaz 83'
February 23, 2026 Estadio Miguel Chocorrón Buitrago, Managua  French Guiana 3-0 U-20 CCQ Johan Ortiz 11'
Luis Tobar 41' 64'
February 25, 2026 Estadio Miguel Chocorrón Buitrago, Managua  Saint Martin 4-1 U-20 CCQ Christian Coreas 12' (pen.)
Diego Peña 75'
Wilber Díaz 82'
Gerson Robles 86'
February 27, 2026 Estadio Miguel Chocorrón Buitrago, Managua  Grenada 2-0 U-20 CCQ Hugo Aguilar 41'
Wilber Díaz 81'
March 1, 2026 Estadio Miguel Chocorrón Buitrago, Managua  Belize 7-0 U-20 CCQ Christian Coreas 9'
Darwin Saravia 39' (o.g.)
Johann Ortiz 41', 60'
William Cabrera 77'
Jonathan Aguirre 88'
Gabriel Arnold 90+1'
March 3, 2026 Estadio Miguel Chocorrón Buitrago, Managua  Suriname 0-2 U-20 CCQ Nil

Key

Players

Current squad

The following 24 players were called up for training camp in January 2026.[3]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Marvin Diaz (2007-05-11) May 11, 2007 Alianza
1GK Maximo Sandoval (2007-07-08) July 8, 2007 Hércules
1GK Alexander Aguilar Old Dominion University

2DF Matias Alas (2003-10-17) October 17, 2003 Alianza
2DF Hugo Aguilar (2003-10-17) October 17, 2003 Isidro Metapan
2DF Emerson Guardado (2008-09-09) September 9, 2008 Alianza
2DF Jonathan Lopez (2006-11-29) November 29, 2006 Isidro Metapan
2DF Oscar Delgado (2003-10-17) October 17, 2003 FAS
2DF Javier Villatoro Bakersfield College
2DF Taeil Lozano Beach FC
2DF Dennis Granados Westchester SC
2DF Eric Velasquez New York Red Bull
2DF Ean Morales San Fernando Valley FC
2DF Gabriel Vasquez Alexandria Soccer Academy
2DF Jonathan Polio Oakland Roots SC
2DF Jonathan Aguirre North Carolina FC Academy
2DF Eric Melgar Solar Soccer Club

3MF William Cabrera North Carolina FC
3MF Jerson Ganuza LA Surf SC
3MF Bradley Pleitez Ventura County Fusion
3MF German Argueta DC United
3MF Daniel Twumasi Kalonji Soccer Academy
3MF Rene Fuentes Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba
3MF Diego Pena Alianza
3MF Gerson Robles (2006-11-29) November 29, 2006 Municipal Limeno
3MF Kerin Torres LA Firpo
3MF Uriel Miranda (2006-11-29) November 29, 2006 Isidro Metapan

4FW Luis Tobar (2008-04-21) April 21, 2008 Alianza
4FW Wilber Diaz (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 Isidro Metapan
4FW Eduardo Cruz Aguila
4FW Zander Tidwell (2007-10-01) October 1, 2007 0 0 Zacatecoluca
4FW Armando Cabrera Soka University

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Cristian Bonilla (2004-02-11) February 11, 2004 4 0 Cacahuatique 2025 Central American GamesPRE
GK Daniel Franco (2004-02-11) February 11, 2004 4 0 Alianza 2025 Central American Games
GK Hamilton Lemus (2004-07-08) July 8, 2004 0 0 Isidro Metapan 2025 Central American Games
GK Edwin Polanco (2007-07-31) July 31, 2007 FAS November 2025 Training Camp

DF William Molina (2004-05-21) May 21, 2004 6 0 Municipal Limeno 2025 Central American Games
DF David Montejo (2003-10-17) October 17, 2003 0 0 FAS 2025 Central American Games
DF Néstor Somoza (2003-10-17) October 17, 2003 0 0 Hércules 2025 Central American Games
DF Kiano Falcao (2006-04-10) April 10, 2006 0 0 Atlético Huila 2025 Central American Games
DF Emir Ponciano (2007-02-22) February 22, 2007 0 0 Los Angeles FC 2025 Central American Games
DF Bryan Lovo (2004-11-23) November 23, 2004 7 0 Aguila 2025 Central American Games
DF Kevin García (2007-09-05) September 5, 2007 Alianza November 2025 Training Camp
DF Anderson Martinez (2003-10-17) October 17, 2003 FAS November 2025 Training Camp
DF Elmer Rodriguez (2007-09-02) September 2, 2007 LA Firpo November 2025 Training Camp
DF Jose Guatemala (2003-10-17) October 17, 2003 Aguila November 2025 Training Camp

MF Johann Ortiz (2007-01-01) January 1, 2007 0 0 Sporting Kansas City II 2025 Central American Games
MF Gabriel Pereira (2005-05-07) May 7, 2005 0 0 Azuriz FC 2025 Central American Games
MF Christopher Guardado (2004-11-23) November 23, 2004 7 0 Alianza 2025 Central American Games
MF Gabriel Arnold (2007-02-01) February 1, 2007 0 0 LA Galaxy 2025 Central American Games
MF Jefferson Martinez (2006-11-29) November 29, 2006 0 0 Municipal Limeno 2025 Central American Games
MF Narciso Ramírez (2005-02-09) February 9, 2005 0 0 Houston FC 2025 Central American GamesPRE
MF Michael Umaña (2004-11-23) November 23, 2004 7 0 Club Necaxa Reserves and Academy 2025 Central American GamesPRE
MF Mauricio Zabala (2006-11-29) November 29, 2006 Isidro Metapan November 2025 Training Camp
MF Edwin Velasquez (2006-11-29) November 29, 2006 Hércules November 2025 Training Camp
MF Jefferson Roque (2006-11-29) November 29, 2006 Platense November 2025 Training Camp
MF Luis Ramirez (2007-02-06) February 6, 2007 Alianza November 2025 Training Camp
MF Jason Ayala (2006-11-29) November 29, 2006 Municipal Limeno November 2025 Training Camp

FW Rene Garay (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 0 0 Aguila 2025 Central American Games
FW Melvin Urbina (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 0 0 Hércules 2025 Central American Games
FW Nelson Díaz (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 0 0 LA Firpo 2025 Central American Games
FW Inner Guevara (2005-03-16) March 16, 2005 0 0 Inter FA 2025 Central American Games
FW Francis Castillo (2005-11-07) November 7, 2005 0 0 CA Antoniano 2025 Central American Games
FW Christopher Argueta (2007-01-14) January 14, 2007 0 0 MFK Dukla U-19 2025 Central American Games
FW Marvin Benítez (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 0 0 Aguila 2025 Central American GamesPRE
FW Ricardo Villatoro (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 0 0 Aguila 2025 Central American GamesPRE
FW Steven Guerra (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 0 0 Isidro Metapan 2025 Central American GamesPRE
FW Paolo Herrera (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 Hércules November 2025 Training Camp
FW Brandon Ramírez (2008-09-05) September 5, 2008 Juventud Independiente November 2025 Training Camp

INJ Player withdrew from the current squad due to injury.
COV Player withdrew due to testing positively for COVID-19 or having to self-isolate because of it.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player had announced retirement from international football.
SUS Player is serving a suspension.
WD Withdrawn.


Formers players

Head coach: Mauricio Alfaro [4]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Rolando Morales (1994-03-01)March 1, 1994 (aged 19) Turín-FESA
2 2DF Oliver Ayala (1994-01-04)January 4, 1994 (aged 19) León
3 3MF Tomás Granitto (1993-06-12)June 12, 1993 (aged 20) Florida Gulf Coast University
4 2DF Giovanni Zavaleta (1994-09-27)September 27, 1994 (aged 18) Turín-FESA
5 3MF Romilio Hernández (1995-06-06)June 6, 1995 (aged 18) Baltimore Bays
6 2DF Marvin Baumgartner (1993-01-13)January 13, 1993 (aged 20) Zürich
7 3MF Jairo Henríquez (1993-08-31)August 31, 1993 (aged 19) Turín-FESA
8 3MF José Villavicencio (1995-01-24)January 24, 1995 (aged 18) Turín-FESA
9 4FW José Peña (1994-12-10)December 10, 1994 (aged 18) Turín-FESA
10 3MF Diego Coca (1994-08-26)August 26, 1994 (aged 18) Turín-FESA
11 4FW Maikon Orellana (1993-11-12)November 12, 1993 (aged 19) Brøndby
12 2DF Kevin Barahona (1994-10-01)October 1, 1994 (aged 18) Turín-FESA
13 2DF Miguel Lemus (1993-10-26)October 26, 1993 (aged 19) Turín-FESA
14 3MF Óscar Rodríguez (1995-04-16)April 16, 1995 (aged 18) Atlético San José
15 3MF René Gómez (1993-01-08)January 8, 1993 (aged 20) Turín-FESA
16 3MF Benjamín Díaz (1993-05-08)May 8, 1993 (aged 20) University of the District of Columbia
17 2DF Kevin Ayala (1994-07-15)July 15, 1994 (aged 18) Turín-FESA
18 1GK Adolfo Menéndez, Jr. (1993-07-03)July 3, 1993 (aged 19) FAS
19 3MF Bernardo Majano (1995-12-09)December 9, 1995 (aged 17) D.C. United
20 4FW Roberto González (1993-03-25)March 25, 1993 (aged 20) Santa Tecla
21 1GK Carlos Cañas (1994-09-09)September 9, 1994 (aged 18) Longwood University

Personnel

Current staff

As of November 2025

Head coach Erick Dowson Prado
Assistant coach Francisco Hernández
Assistant coach Ernesto de la Ocomo
Goalkeeper Coach Adolfo Menéndez
Physical Trainer Emerson Leal
Medical Trainer
Kinesiologist
Equipment Manager Abraham Beltrán

Manager history

Honours

See also

References

  1. ^ "Draw reveals groups for 2024 Concacaf U-20 Qualifiers". October 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Torneo Sub-19 UNCAF FIFA FORWARD". January 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "La Sub 20 toma forma: talentos locales y desde EE. UU. en preselección rumbo a las eliminatorias Concacaf" (in Spanish). ElSalvador. January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  4. ^ "Completa la nómina de la Selección Sub-20 para Copa del Mundo Turquía 2013" (in Spanish). www.culebritamacheteada.sv. May 23, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)