Those who are following CONCACAF World Cup qualifying know that the competition can be an unpredictable one. But it is also an exciting one. Several national teams will be looking to seal their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Among those teams are the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago. And if one of those teams manages to win all three matchdays, they will mathematically qualify.
In addition to the World Cup, teams in the North American confederation will also compete for Olympic places. In the Women’s Championship, Canada is expected to make a return to the world finals for the first time in 36 years. Meanwhile, Concacaf is preparing for an expansion to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup. In addition to the main tournament, the W Championship also doubles as a qualifier for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
Among the CONCACAF teams that are scheduled to play three matches during the upcoming international break are the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica. They will all play their final matchdays of the qualification phase on Thursday, March 24, Sunday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 30. In addition, some matches will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and Paramount Plus.
In the Concacaf World Cup qualifying competition, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will play its final qualifier against Costa Rica. The team hasn’t won a qualifier in Costa Rica, but the team has a solid record against the United States on home soil. A win against the Costa Ricans could clinch a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, a loss could leave the USMNT in fifth place.
Canada’s men’s national team will also play its last qualifier on Wednesday, March 30. The team won its first six home qualifiers and has two draws. The team finished third in the Concacaf Octagonal standings with 25 points. The team has scored the second-most goals in the competition with 21. The team’s only loss came against Panama in September. The team has not been beaten since then, and the team will play three matches during the upcoming international break. The team has not won a qualifier in Canada, but the team has been able to draw the games they have played in that country.
In addition to the Concacaf World Cup qualifying competition, there are other qualifying tournaments in Africa and Oceania. In addition to the Concacaf W Championship, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) will also be playing in a qualifier for the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia. Among the team’s roster are three Coloradans. Among the notable internationals that are not part of the team are Janine Beckie, Sophia Smith, and Bunny Shaw.
The Concacaf World Cup qualifying competition has been a tumultuous affair. There have been issues with training, personnel, infrastructure, and Covid. But the competition has made a remarkable comeback. The first team to mathematically qualify on the penultimate day was Canada.
