In this round, there were 12 sub-groups played as 11 ties of two teams, plus a bye for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The winners and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines advanced to the second round to meet the highest ranked teams in their sub-groups, as determined by the preliminary draw.
Virgin Islands and Montserrat–Suriname were played over one leg in late March due to several Member Associations failing to meet the new FIFA Stadium standards and being unable to secure a home venue.
[2] Dominica Barbados Turks and Caicos Islands Saint Lucia Bermuda Cayman Islands Aruba Antigua and Barbuda Belize Saint Kitts and Nevis Bahamas British Virgin Islands Puerto Rico Dominican Republic Saint Vincent and the Grenadines† Grenada U.S. Virgin Islands Montserrat Suriname El Salvador Anguilla Nicaragua Netherlands Antilles † Placed in a first round sub-group, but received a bye to the second round.
[2] Saint Vincent and the Grenadines received a bye and were drawn to play Canada in the second round.