The 1988 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship was held in Guatemala, although it has also been reported that the tournament was held in Trinidad and Tobago. It also served as qualification for the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship. This edition of the tournament would see Mexico's youth squad become disqualified due to the Cachirules scandal banning all Mexico national team squads from total participation in FIFA organized events.
Other qualification matches may have been played.
The following teams entered the tournament:
Estadio Carlos Salazar Hijo, Mazatenango
<br>
Estadio del Ejército, Guatemala City
<br>
Estadio Carlos Salazar Hijo, Mazatenango
<br>
The two best performing teams qualified for the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship.