A total of 16 CONCACAF teams entered the competition, but FIFA rejected the entry of Belize due to outstanding debt. There would be two rounds of play:

Entrants

CONCACAF first round

Summary

Matches

Trinidad and Tobago advanced to the Second Round, 5–0 on aggregate score. Guatemala advanced to the Second Round, 2–1 on aggregate score. Jamaica advanced to the Second Round, 3–1 on aggregate score. Netherlands Antilles advanced to the Second Round, 4–1 on aggregate score. Costa Rica advanced to the Second Round, 3–1 on aggregate score.

CONCACAF second round

Summary

Matches

El Salvador qualified, 6–0 on aggregate score. United States qualified, 5–1 on aggregate score. The aggregate score was tied at 1–1, however Trinidad and Tobago qualified on away goals. 1 The tie was scratched and Costa Rica advanced to the final round as Mexico were disqualified after being suspended for fielding overaged players during the 1988 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament. The aggregate score was tied at 3–3, however Guatemala qualified on away goals.

Goalscorers