Country: Nicaragua

Official website: www.fenifut.org.ni

Nickname(s): Los Pinoleros, Albiazules

Manager: Otoniel Olivas

Gold Cup appearance(s): (1) 2009

Best finish: NA

Better known as a baseball-playing nation, with five runner-up finishes in the Baseball World Cup, Nicaragua earned its first major soccer honor when it qualified for the Gold Cup by beating Guatemala 2-0 for fifth place the Central American Nations Cup. It was Nicaragua's first victory over Guatemala, a former Central American champion, in 17 tries. It became the fifth and final team to qualify from Central America and the last side in the 12-team Gold Cup field. About half of its team is derived from two domestic clubs, 26-time Nicaraguan league champion Diriangen, and its chief rival, six-time champion Real Esteli.