It’s Concacaf crunch time.
Over the next week, a much clearer World Cup qualifying picture should emerge for the region including North and Central America.
After each of the eight teams plays three games Thursday, Sunday and Feb. 2, just one more three-game qualifying window will remain in March to determine the three direct 2022 World Cup entries along with the fourth-place intercontinental playoff participant.
Canada leads the way after eight games with 16 points, but plays four of its final six on the road – where the Canadians have picked up three ties so far.
Here’s a look at the schedule and scenario for each of the eight teams during this window.
CANADA (16 pts., at Honduras, vs. United States, at El Salvador)
Arguably the most challenging window for the Canadians because of travel, MLS being out of season and star Alphonso Davies (myocarditis after COVID-19) being out. They’ll sandwich a home game vs. the Americans in Hamilton between two road games in hot venues. It’s a different story for the Yanks (see below).
Columbus is sacred ground.
It’s Match Day. pic.twitter.com/rn5tUKPZJK
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) January 27, 2022
UNITED STATES (15 pts., vs. El Salvador, at Canada, vs. Honduras)
The Americans opted to play their home games this window in the cold (Columbus for El Salvador and St. Paul, Minn., for Honduras) – meaning they face less of an adjustment than Canada for the middle match. They also have less travel to contend with than the Canadians. However, it will be intriguing to see if the Americans bring their best lineup to Hamilton, especially if they win against El Salvador – considering the COVID-19 border issues that have affected some NBA and NHL teams. The U.S. failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup – its first miss since 1986.
MEXICO (14 pts., at Jamaica, vs. Costa Rica, vs. Panama)
Critical window for the regional power, with Panama tied with the Mexicans for third and Costa Rica sitting close behind in fifth. Forward Hirving Lozano is suspended for the opener and some reports say fellow striker Raul Jimenez will not play in Jamaica because of injury. Meanwhile, the Mexican association is allowing just 2,000 fans at the two home games to test new fan behaviour measures after being sanctioned for supporters using homophobic chants. Mexico has qualified for the past seven World Cups.
[radioclip id=5280523]PANAMA (14 pts., at Costa Rica, vs. Jamaica, at Mexico)
Canadian fans will be watching the Panama-Costa Rica game closely – perhaps cheering for a tie in the clasico. The teams played to a scoreless draw in Costa Rica in September. Panama went 2-0 in the last qualifying window, bouncing back from a second-half collapse in Toronto with comeback wins over Honduras and El Salvador. Panama qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2018.
COSTA RICA (9 pts., vs. Panama, at Mexico, at Jamaica)
All but a must-win against Panama as Costa Rica looks to narrow the gap to qualification and advance to its third straight World Cup. Gerson Torres scored in stoppage time to give Costa Rica a 2-1 win over visiting Honduras last time out, a much-needed result. That came on the heels of a 1-0 loss to Canada in Edmonton.
Current mood in the camp
.#QatarMotivated #ReggaeBoyz #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/VSRbk4DovT— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) January 26, 2022
JAMAICA (7 pts., vs. Mexico, at Panama, vs. Costa Rica)
It’s a long road back, but Jamaica is facing the teams directly in front of them in the standings with two fixtures at home. The Reggae Boyz likely need seven of nine points to stand a chance. However, the Jamaicans will not have any fans against Mexico because of COVID-19 restrictions. It will mark the first game for new coach Paul Hall. The Jamaicans, whose first and only World Cup appearance was in 1998, haven’t beat Mexico in World Cup qualifying since 2008.
EL SALVADOR (6 pts., at U.S., at Honduras, vs. Canada)
The high is 0 C in Columbus for Thursday’s game against the Americans – which is anything but ideal for the visitors. El Salvador is winless against the U.S. in World Cup qualification and hasn’t notched a point versus the Americans since 1989. El Salvador coach Hugo Perez, who moved to the U.S. with his family as a kid, earned 73 caps as a player for the Americans. El Salvador hasn’t qualified for the World Cup since 1982.
HONDURAS (3 pts., vs. Canada, vs. El Salvador, at U.S.)
While its chances of qualifying for the World Cup are slim to nil, Honduras enters its game against Canada unbeaten in its last five qualifiers at home. Honduras started the final round with a promising 1-1 draw against Canada in Toronto, but couldn’t maintain that success – leading to a coaching change that saw former Colombia, Ecuador and Panama coach Dario Gomez replace Fabian Coito. Honduras’ loss to Australia in a playoff last year denied the team a third straight World Cup berth.
