Costa Rica narrowly emerged as champions on goal difference to win their third title and participate in their first World Cup. TheUnited States finished runners-up by virtue of one goal and qualified for their first World Cup in forty years. The U.S. gained their first World Cup qualification in 40 years by beatingTrinidad and Tobago in their last game by 1–0, with a goal dubbed"The Shot Heard around the World".
A total of sixteenCONCACAF teams entered the competition. However,FIFA rejected the entry ofBelize due to debts to FIFA.
Five teams qualified from the two stage qualification process that ran from April to November 1988.Mexico were disqualified during this stage after having been found to havefielded over-aged players during the1988 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament. Their scheduled opponentsCosta Rica therefore advanced to the Final Round unopposed.
^The El Salvador–Trinidad and Tobago match was played on neutral ground in Honduras instead of in El Salvador.
^The El Salvador–United States match was played on neutral ground in Honduras instead of in El Salvador.
^abThe matches between El Salvador and Guatemala, which were originally scheduled to be played in Guatemala, were scratched by mutual agreement as both teams could no longer qualify for the World Cup in any event.
Costa Rica (3rd title)
United States
Trinidad and Tobago
Guatemala
El Salvador
39' (pen.)