Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez has released his final 23-man squad for next month 2014 FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil. The list contains Six British-based players with Hull defender Maynor Figueroa, Stoke midfielder Wilson Palacios, Wigan duo Roger Espinoza and Juan Carlos Garcia, Celtic defender Emilio Izaguirre and Rangers midfielder Arnold Peralta all included.
The surprise player included in the squad is 20 years old Real Espana goalkeeper Luis Lopez earning himself one of the three goalkeeping spots in the squad owing to his good form for Real Espana this season. He got the nod for the spot ahead of other contending goal keepers.
Honduras start its world cup preparation next Monday in United States to play three warm-up friendlies ahead of the World Cup. The team will face Turkey in Washington on 29 May before meeting Israel in Houston on 1 June. Six days later they face England in Miami before heading to Brazil, where they will square up with France, Ecuador and Switzerland in Group E. The coach who apologiesd to players omitted from the list after he admitted that a lot of players were involved in the build up to the world cup but he cant satisfy everyone.
Honduras finished third in the CONCACAF region behind United States, Costa Rica to seal its world cup place.
Below is the Honduras squad:
Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana)
Defenders: Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic/Scotland), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan/England), Maynor Figueroa (Hull City/England), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes/USA), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Janoon/China PR), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua)
Midfielders: Arnold Peralta (Rangers/Scotland), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan/England), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke/England), Oscar Garcia (Houston Dynamo/USA), Andy Najar (Anderlecht/Belgium), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids/USA)
Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution/USA), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense/Costa Rica), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad/Spain)