CONCACAF’s rejig of the 2022
World Cup qualifiers assuaged some
criticism in the region, but the big
guns still have a head start. Changed
due to the pandemic, the new format
puts the five highest-ranked nations- Mexico, USA, Costa Rica,Jamaica
and Honduras – straight into a final
round, dubbed the Octagonal.
The remaining 30 eligible
CONCACAF members play each
other once in six groups, with games
to commence in March 2021 after a
late decision to postpone the original
October and November dates. Group
winners then play home-and-away
for three places in the Octagonal,
where the top three qualify for Qatar
and the fourth-placed side faces an
inter-confederation play-off.
The original format had lower-
ranked countries battling off for one
inter-confederation play-off spot, but
the early rounds will still be a dogfight
and dissatisfaction remains in the
Caribbean, where many countries
will look to their diaspora as FIFA
redrafts its eligibility rules.
The changes will allow players with
three or less caps won before they
are 21 to switch nationality, but with
the system still favouring the big
guns, persuading players to switch
will be a huge ask.
LEADING CONTENDERS
The 2019 Gold Cup winners Mexico
have stars with massive experience incaptain Andres Guardado of Real Betis,
Atletico Madrid’s Hector Herrera and
Wolves striker RaulJimenez, and are
favourites to win the Octagonal.
The USA ran them close in the Gold
Cup final but coach Gregg Berhalter
has had mixed results and will want
to avoid a repeat of the 3-0 friendly
hammering by Mexico in NewJersey
last year.
Ronald Brenes only took up the reins
at Costa Rica last year but has strength
in depth with veteran Bryan Ruiz hoping
for a third consecutive World Cup
appearance. Maynor Figueroa is one
of the few current internationals with
more caps than Ruiz, and the Houston
Dynamo defender will hope he can
lead Honduras back to the World Cup
after missing out in 2018.Jamaica coach Theodore Whitmore
has produced a strong run since his
side lost to the USA in the Gold Cup
semi-final last year. Whitmore played
for The Reggae Boyz in their only finals’
appearance in1998 and his side
should challenge for third place
or the play-off spot.THE NEXT RUNG
Under veteran coach Guus Hiddink,
Curacao are top seeds in Group C and
the eligibility rule change will be a huge
benefit to an already-experienced
squad led by Cuco Martina, whose most
recent clubs include Everton, Stoke and
Feyenoord. Hiddink’s stature and links
with the Netherlands could unearth
plenty more players there.
An easy draw makes Haiti massive
favourites in Group E, while ex-Leeds
United manager Thomas Christiansen
will struggle to hold onto his job if
Panama fail to qualify from Group D.
Trinidad & Tobago are top seeds in
Group F but coach Terry Fenwick’s task
is not helped by a battle with FIFA for
control of football on the islands.INTERESTING OUTSIDERS
St. Kitts & Nevis must fancy their
chances of beating T&T to top spot
in Group F. The federation has a UK
scouting system in place and, under
former coachJacques Passy, the players
gained valuable experience playing on
tours in Europe. New Argentine coach
Claudio Caimi has an inspiring leader
in West Bromwich Albion playmaker
Romaine Sawyers.
Passy has since joined the Dominican
Republic, whose players benefit from
the island’s new professional league.
Captain Miguel Lloyd Troncosco was
able to come home to Cibao from a
seven-year stint with Panamanian side
Arabe Unido and will provide valuable
insight on Group D rivals Panama.
The biggest surprise could be
Suriname, who had already changed
their own eligibility rules to recruit
players from a massive Dutch diaspora.
So far, coach Dean Gorre has only usedPushed back
COVID-19 enforces change of format in CONCACAF
CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers
STEVE MENARYCaptain...Curacao’s
Cuco MartinaRising...Canada’s
Alphonso DaviesThe new format puts the five highest-ranked nations
- Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Honduras –
straight into a final round, dubbed the Octagonal
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