CONCACAF has announced a new qualification format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States receiving three automatic spots as co-hosts. This change follows the traditional Hexagonal and Octagonal rounds used for Qatar 2022.
New Qualification Structure
The new qualification system will consist of:
- Playoff First Round
- Two Rounds of Group Play
- The top two teams from each group will advance to the final round of qualifying.
- The top team from the final round will earn an automatic berth in the World Cup.
- The second-place team will compete in inter-confederation playoffs alongside representatives from other confederations.
It remains unclear which four countries will qualify automatically under this new system, but up to five CONCACAF teams could join the co-hosts at the tournament.
Performance of CONCACAF Teams in Qatar 2022
- Canada: Finished fourth in Group F with one win and three losses.
- Mexico: Eliminated after losing all three matches in Group C against Saudi Arabia, Poland, and Argentina.
- United States: Finished second in Group B with seven points but lost to Iran on penalties in the Round of 16 after a 1-1 draw through extra time.
Future Details and Reactions
CONCACAF plans to release more details about the qualification process later this year, although no specific timeline has been provided.
Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF’s governing council, expressed excitement about the new format, stating, "We believe it is fairer than what we had before." He also thanked FIFA for providing additional opportunities for CONCACAF teams to qualify through inter-confederation playoffs.
FIFA’s Support for the Bid
Earlier this month, FIFA announced that the Canada-Mexico-United States bid won over Morocco, securing six out of eight votes from member associations during an assembly meeting in Doha. Montagliani praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his staff for their support throughout the bidding process.
Infantino expressed optimism about future tournaments, stating that he expects member associations that voted against the Canada-Mexico-United States bid, including Morocco, to support them if awarded hosting duties again.
Attendance and Participation in African Nations
Infantino also highlighted the potential for increased participation among African nations in upcoming tournaments, citing South Africa’s successful hosting of the men’s World Cup last year. South Africa hosted nine matches, including a quarterfinal match between Argentina and South Korea, which saw Lionel Messi score twice.
Despite historical challenges with attendance figures, South Africa reported average attendance ranging from around 43% up to full capacity during key matches.
In conclusion, the new qualification format and the support from FIFA mark a significant step for CONCACAF as it prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
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