Ariel Bustamante, director of minor teams for Honduras, recently gave exclusive insights to DIARY TEN, revealing details about upcoming plans for the pre-World Cup and pre-Olympic tournaments.

What strategies are in place to attract and convince dual nationality players with Catracha blood to join the team?

“I think since last year, when we were at the World Cup, we’ve had a window open to bring players from Europe. We had two players who played for European clubs in that World Cup, Nico Balbás and Luis Suazo, and several from the US national teams. Now, we have a player from Inter Miami,” Bustamante said.

“This year, we’ve received a lot of information, and we’re working closely with the technical staff to evaluate these players. However, there are administrative issues to consider, such as immigration processes that can take up to six months. We’re also trying to streamline communication with consulates to expedite these processes,” he added.

Bustamante also mentioned that the opportunities for players trained outside Honduras have significantly increased. “Migration is not just to the US; 15 or 20 years ago, many players moved to Europe. So, we’re working hard to integrate these talents into our national teams,” he concluded.

Has there been any recent progress in discussions with Keyrol Figueroa?

“I haven’t spoken to his father recently, but the doors are open. We’re always looking to invite and welcome Honduran players, regardless of where they’re based,” Bustamante said.

Why did Israel Canales leave the U-17 national team?

“His contract ended in December. After discussing the outcomes of the World Cup, the decision was made not to renew the contract. However, I believe his abilities remain undeniable,” Bustamante revealed.

How was Honduras’s performance in the U-17 World Cup and Central American Games?

“We went with the best players we had, but we missed a key penalty in the Costa Rica game. We played well but lost due to a late equalizer against Panama. I believe we need to focus on improving our performance, rather than dwelling on the results,” Bustamante said.

What are Honduras’s chances in the upcoming World Cup?

“We’re working on improving our youth preparation and trainings. We’re excited about our current generation, but we need to focus on preparing them better and exposing them to more international playing environments,” Bustamante said.

Which players should we keep an eye on for the future?

“I don’t like to put pressure on individual players, but I believe this generation has great potential. Our goal is to qualify for more World Cups and use these tournaments to strengthen our senior team,” Bustamante concluded.