Charleston Battery forward Rubio Rubín is set for international duty to represent Guatemala during the FIFA International Window in June. Guatemala are set to compete in the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Concacaf Gold Cup. Both competitions are happening in June, with World Cup qualification occurring through June 10 and the Gold Cup kicking off on June 16.
Guatemala are in the driver’s seat in Group E in the second round of World Cup qualification. There are two matches left to decide the top two teams that will advance from the group to the third round. Los Chapines will play the Dominican Republic on June 6 and Jamaica on June 10.
Rubín played and scored in their first two qualification matches, against Dominica and the British Virgin Islands, and is looking to help Guatemala qualify for their first-ever World Cup.
Rubín rejoins Los Chapines after helping them punch their ticket to the Gold Cup last March. He scored a crucial goal in the second leg against Guyana to qualify for the big dance.
To date, Rubín has won 30 caps and scored 11 goals for Guatemala since his debut in 2022, making him one of their high-scoring players on the current roster. Rubín also represented Guatemala in the 2023 Gold Cup, scoring two goals in three matches when their run ended in the quarterfinals against Jamaica.
Guatemala are in Group C of the Gold Cup with Jamaica, Panama and Guadeloupe. The top two teams from the group advance to the knockout stage, with the final set for July 6. In the 2023 tournament, Panama were runners-up and Jamaica were semifinalists.
The first match for Guatemala in the Gold Cup is against Jamaica on June 16 at 10 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. The Gold Cup will air on FS1 in English and TUDN in Spanish.
Best of luck on the international stage, Rubio!