In 1960, Honduras participated for the first time in a FIFA World Cup qualification. On October, FIFA awarded Honduras a 0–2 win against Guatemala after they forfeited, making this the third time in the last decade in which a match is scheduled between these two but not played.
In 1969, Honduras faced El Salvador in the semifinal round of the 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification in a period in which both nations were fighting a war over land reforms and immigration and demographic problems; the qualifying matches added more tension to a conflict that later came to be known as the Football War.[3][4]
In 1971, after eliminating Guatemala in the qualifying phase of the 1971 CONCACAF Championship, Honduras had to face El Salvador in a home-away double header. However, due to the still fresh 1969 Football War the Cuscatlecos withdrew from the tournament, giving Honduras an automatic bye.