The ultimate spherical of qualifiers will begin in June 2021.© AFP
The ultimate spherical of CONCACAF’s qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup is to be expanded from six to eight groups, the governing physique for soccer in North America, Central America and the Caribbean confirmed on Monday. CONCACAF stated in an announcement that 5 groups — Mexico, United States, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Honduras — would routinely begin within the closing eight-team spherical robin league the place three.5 berths for the 2022 finals in Qatar can be up for grabs. These 5 groups can be joined by three groups who emerge from two rounds of preliminary qualifiers which can contain the rest of CONCACAF’s 35 FIFA member nations.
These preliminary rounds will get underway in October, with 30 groups drawn into six teams of 5.
The six group winners will then meet in three two-legged second-round video games, with the winners of every tie advancing to the ultimate spherical of qualifying.
The ultimate spherical of qualifiers will begin in June 2021 earlier than reaching their conclusion in March 2022 — eight months earlier than the World Cup kicks off in Qatar.
Within the closing spherical, every staff performs one another on a house and away foundation with the highest three finishers qualifying for the World Cup. The fourth-placed staff will enter a playoff towards a staff from a distinct area.
The qualifying shake-up got here after the coronavirus pandemic pressured cancellation of a number of FIFA worldwide home windows, making CONCACAF’s earlier qualification plans unworkable.
In an announcement, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani stated the brand new format supplied higher alternative for World Cup qualification to groups within the area.
Promoted
“All groups now have the possibility to compete for direct entry to Qatar 2022 and dream of enjoying at a World Cup,” Montagliani stated.
“We have now additionally revered the positions of these nations which had already mathematically certified for the Closing Spherical below the earlier system.”
Matters talked about on this article
Source link
