Road to the World Cup: North America’s Top Teams Battle it Out in Qualifiers

The World Cup Qualifiers for North America are underway, with teams from the region competing for a chance to secure a spot in the 2022 World Cup.

World Cup Qualifiers for North America Begin

The World Cup Qualifiers for North America, also known as CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) qualifiers, have begun. The tournament features 35 teams from the region competing for three and a half spots in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The top three teams will automatically qualify for the World Cup while the fourth-placed team will enter an inter-confederation playoff.

COVID-19 Protocols

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected sports events worldwide, and CONCACAF is no exception. The organization has put in place strict protocols to ensure the safety of players, staff, and fans attending the matches. These protocols include regular testing of players and staff, social distancing measures at stadiums, limited attendance capacity, and mandatory mask-wearing.

Matches Schedule

The World Cup Qualifiers for North America began on March 24th, 2021. The first round consists of six groups of five teams each playing a double round-robin format. The top team from each group advances to the final round along with the six best runners-up. In the final round, which begins in September 2021, eight teams play a double round-robin format with the top three qualifying directly to the World Cup.

Group A Standings:

  1. Mexico – 6 points
  2. Jamaica – 4 points
  3. Panama – 4 points
  4. Costa Rica – 2 points
  5. Honduras – 0 points

Teams Participating in World Cup Qualifiers for North America

Thirty-five teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean are participating in the World Cup Qualifiers for North America. These teams are divided into six groups:

Group A

  1. Mexico
  2. Jamaica
  3. Costa Rica
  4. Panama
  5. Honduras

Group B

  1. United States of America (USA)
  2. Canada
  3. El Salvador
  4. Haiti
  5. Honduras or Canada (playoff winner)

Group C

  1. Honduras or Canada (playoff winner)
  2. Mexico or El Salvador (playoff winner)
  3. CuraƧao or Panama (playoff winner)
  4. Costa Rica or Haiti (playoff winner)

Format of World Cup Qualifiers for North America Explained

The World Cup Qualifiers for North America follow a three-round format. In the first round, 30 teams are divided into six groups of five playing a double round-robin format. The top team from each group advances to the final round along with the six best runners-up.

In the final round, eight teams play a double round-robin format, and the top three qualify directly to the World Cup in Qatar. The fourth-placed team will enter an inter-confederation playoff against a team from another region.

The final round also serves as the regional championship, with the winner receiving the CONCACAF Cup.

Tiebreaker Rules

In case of a tie in points between two or more teams, the following tiebreaker rules apply:

  1. Goal difference
  2. Goals scored
  3. Head-to-head results between tied teams (points, goal difference, goals scored)
  4. FIFA ranking as of the date of the draw

Top Players to Watch During World Cup Qualifiers for North America

The World Cup Qualifiers for North America feature many talented players from across the region. Here are some top players to watch:

Hirving Lozano – Mexico

Hirving Lozano is a forward who plays for Napoli in Serie A and has been a key player for Mexico in recent years. He was named Best Young Player at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and is known for his speed, dribbling skills, and finishing ability.

Alphonso Davies – Canada

Alphonso Davies is a left-back who plays for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and has become one of Canada’s biggest soccer stars. He was named Canadian Player of the Year in 2018 and 2020 and helped Bayern win the Champions League in 2020.

Raul Jimenez – Mexico

Raul Jimenez is a striker who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League and is one of Mexico’s most prolific scorers. He has scored over 20 goals for Mexico and was instrumental in their Gold Cup win in 2019.

Final Matches of World Cup Qualifiers for North America: Dates and Locations

The final round of the World Cup Qualifiers for North America is set to begin in September 2021 and end in March 2022. The exact dates and locations of the matches have not been announced yet, but they will take place across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Once the final round is complete, the top three teams will qualify directly to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The fourth-placed team will enter an inter-confederation playoff against a team from another region.

The World Cup Qualifiers in North America have been highly competitive, with several teams vying for a spot in the tournament. The matches have showcased the talent and passion of soccer players from across the continent, and fans can look forward to an exciting conclusion to the qualifying round.

The World Cup Qualifiers for North America, also known as CONCACAF qualifiers, have begun with 35 teams from the region competing for three and a half spots in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Strict COVID-19 protocols have been put in place to ensure the safety of players, staff, and fans attending the matches. The tournament features six groups of five teams each playing a double round-robin format, with the top team from each group advancing to the final round along with the six best runners-up. The final round begins in September 2021, and eight teams play a double round-robin format with the top three qualifying directly to the World Cup. Mexico currently leads Group A standings with six points.

FAQ

How many North America qualify for the World Cup?

In CONCACAF, the third round is made up of eight teams. The top three teams in the group will qualify for the World Cup, while the fourth place team will compete in an inter-confederation playoff against a team from AFC, CONMEBOL or OFC.

How many teams will qualify from North America?

The remaining 28 teams in CONCACAF’s qualifying tournament will participate in a second round that will take place in June 2024 and June 2025. Six groups of five teams will compete in a round-robin format, with each country hosting two games. This will take place on February 28, 2023.

How many teams to qualify from concacaf in 2026 World Cup?

Qualification summary table for the Confederations and their respective direct slots in the World Cup. AFC has 8 slots, CAF has 9 slots, CONCACAF has 3+3 slots, and CONMEBOL has 6 slots.

Can North American teams play in Copa America?

The champions of South America are determined through a competition. Starting in the 1990s, teams from North America and Asia have also been included in the competition.

Which countries are in North America?

The continent of North America and its various countries and territories.

Will US Canada and Mexico automatically qualify?

FIFA has announced that the United States Men’s National Team, Mexico, and Canada will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts. This was confirmed on February 14, 2023.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *